As per recent reports, it is likely that India’s new vice-captain KL Rahul is set to miss the first Test against Sri Lanka in Mohali and his availability for the second Test isn’t confirmed either. The right-handed batter from Karnataka suffered a hamstring injury while fielding during the second ODI against West Indies. He subsequently got ruled out of the third ODI and succeeding T20I series.
India’s veteran journalist K Shriniwas Rao broke the news via Twitter about this development.
“KL Rahul will be unavailable for Mohali Test & there’s no confirmation if he’ll play the 2nd Test in B’lore. That is why Rohit Sharma has been asked to lead,” tweeted K Shriniwas Rao.
KL Rahul will be unavailable for Mohali Test & there's no confirmation if he'll play the 2nd Test in B'lore.
That is why Rohit Sharma has been asked to lead.
— KSR (@KShriniwasRao) February 18, 2022
Sri Lanka will play a three-match T20I series against India before moving onto the longest format. KL Rahul is set to miss the T20 series as well due to his injury. The tour of Sri Lanka will commence on 24 February.
Rohit set to captain India in tests as KL Rahul misses out due to injury
There were various reports stating that KL Rahul might be preferred to be captain over Rohit in tests as the age is not on the side of Rohit. Rohit, who is 35 years old, consistently has injury problems.
KL Rahul led the Indian test team against again South Africa in the second test. India lost the test match and the series by a margin of 2-1. However, Rahul is hailed as India’s next red-ball leader after Kohli left a void in the leadership role. Kohli had stepped down from test captaincy after losing from the series against South Africa.
However, if the reports are true, Rahul will have to wait to lead the test side in a full-time role for a while. Rahul is also seen as Rohit’s successor in the white-ball format.
HIGHLIGHTS:
• KL Rahul may miss the test series against Sri Lanka.
• KL Rahul is in line to become India’s next red-ball leader.
