BAN vs IND: KL Rahul picks hand injury during training session ahead of the second Test
Abhimanyu Easwaran is likely to open alongside Shubman Gill in the Mirpur Test starting on December 23 if KL Rahul fails to recover in time.
Team India stand-in captain KL Rahul picked up a minor hand injury during training on eve of the second Test match against Bangladesh on Wednesday (December 21). Indian batting coach Vikram Rathour confirmed Rahul's injury in the press conference. Rathore, however, said that it it not a serious injury. But he didn't confirm whether Rahul will play the final Test match starting on Thursday.
If Rahul misses the second match, then Indian management is likely to hand an international debut to Bengal captain Abhimanyu Easwaran. The 27-year-old has been around India's red-ball team but never got a chance in playing XI. Easwaran was drafted into the squad as a replacement for injured Rohit Sharma, who is also ruled out of the second Test after failing to recover from his finger injury.
It has been reported that Rathour was involved in a throwdown with Rahul and that is when the player took a blow to his hand. Doctors attended the player quickly and Rathour stated that 'hopefully' he will be okay.
"It doesn't (looks serious). He seems to be fine. Hopefully he'll be okay. The doctors are looking at it, but hopefully he'll be okay," Rathour said in his pre-match press conference.
In case of Rahul's absence, Cheteshwar Pujara will lead Indian team in the second match with Easawaran coming. The management is unlikely to make any unforced changes to their playing XI after an impressive 188-run win in the first Test match in Chattogram.
The opener failed to make any impact with a bat in the first Test with 22 and 23 scores but was praised for his leadership skills. After Rohit returns to the squad and Gill continues to put in impressive performances in red-ball cricket then Rahul might struggle for the regular place in Team India Test squad.
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