Sri Lanka Vs India 2017: KL Rahul Ruled Out Of First Test

KL Rahul will have to wait a bit longer to make a comeback to international cricket as BCCI‘s medical team, on Monday (July 24), confirmed that the opening batsman will not be available for selection for Galle Test due to viral fever. The medical team also confirmed that the opening batsman is making satisfactory progress and has been rested as a precautionary measure.

“The BCCI medical team confirms that opening batsman Mr. KL Rahul is presently down with viral fever. There are no major health concerns and he is making rapid progress, much to the satisfaction of the medical team,” a media advisory from BCCI said.

“As a precautionary measure, Mr. KL Rahul is advised further rest and hence will not be available for selection for the first Test match against Sri Lanka, which starts on July 26 at Galle. The medical team will continue to monitor Mr. KL Rahul’s progress and keep you posted accordingly,” it added.

The 25-year old had just returned to action after spending four months on the sidelines due to the shoulder injury he had sustained during the Dharamsala Test against Australia in March. He had to undergo a surgery for the shoulder and consequently missed the entire Indian Premier League and Champions Trophy. The Karnataka batsman, nevertheless, made an impressive comeback, scoring 54 off just 58 balls in the two-day practice game against Sri Lanka Board President’s XI.

And despite recovering from the injury, Rahul had said he is still apprehensive that the injury might occur again.

“Yes, I am [nervous]. The body is still very unsure and it keeps holding me back every time. That’s the biggest challenge coming back from injury. You know that you are physically fit and you have done everything that you can, worked really hard, you are feeling stronger, you are feeling fitter. But the mind always tells you what if it happens again, what if you have to go through the same grind for three months, what if your shoulder is not ready, what if you came back early. The fear is obviously there but I will fight it and I will overcome that,” he had said after the first day’s pay of the warm-up game.

Rahul’s absence, meanwhile, will be a big blow for the Indian team as its other opener Murali Vijay is also not in the squad. Shikhar Dhawan and Abhinav Mukund are now likely to open the innings in the Galle Test starting from July 26.