India batter KL Rahul is still not fully fit and is seeking specialist consultation in London for his right quadriceps injury. His participation in the fifth and final Test of the series against England is still unclear.
As per the Cricbuzz report, the BCCI and the National Cricket Academy (NCA) officials have sent Rahul to the UK to reassess his condition. The right-handed batter is undergoing treatment overseas to return back to the side.
BCCI is not in the mood to rush things with Rahul as India have already clinched the series 3-1 after a five-wicket win in the fourth Test in Ranchi. The board is also planning to rest a few players for the last match of the series. There is no clarity over Rahul’s participation in the match as his return date is not confirmed yet.
Rahul played the opening match of the series and slammed 86 & 22 in Hyderabad. He was rested for the second Test in Vizag as a precautionary measure and went on to miss two more matches of the series in Rajkot and Ranchi.
Ahead of the fourth Test, BCCI said that “KL Rahul is ruled out of the 4th Test. His participation in the final Test match in Dharamsala is subject to fitness.”
Rahul will return to action in the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) if not in Dharamsala. He will lead Lucknow Super Giants with the dual role of wicketkeeper and middle-order batter as he prepares for a spot in India’s T20 World Cup 2024 squad.
Jasprit Bumrah to return for fifth Test
Meanwhile, pacer Jasprit Bumrah will return to action for the fifth match after being rested for the fourth Test in Ranchi. He is the joint-highest wicket-taker for India in the series with 17 scalps in six innings. All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja also holds 17 wickets in three matches of the series.