Reports: Devdutt Padikkal to make his Test debut against England in Dharamsala, KL Rahul unlikely to return

Having already taken an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match Test series against England, India are likely to make a few changes to their playing XI in the last Test beginning from March 07 at Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamsala. With already four debut caps handed in the series so far, the Indian team management is likely to hand the fifth one to Devdutt Padikkal who’s in line to make his first Test appearance if KL Rahul doesn’t regain match fitness in time.

Notably, Rahul, who played in the first Test of the series in Hyderabad, was ruled out of the subsequent three games after complaining of right quadriceps pain. The 31-year-old recently flew to London to consult a specialist who had operated on his quadriceps last year.

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According to Hindustan Times, the Indian team will assemble in Chandigarh on Saturday, March 02 before taking a chartered flight to Dharamsala. Hence, the chances of Rahul regaining full fitness by then are very slim clearing the path for Padikkal to make his Test debut.

The report further states that the chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar had a meeting with head coach Rahul Dravid, the other members of the coaching staff and captain Rohit Sharma after the Ranchi Test. Following, Rahul’s decision to consult a specialist in London, it was decided that the team will go ahead with Padikkal.

The southpaw has 2227 runs to his name in first-class cricket from 31 matches at an average of 44.54 with six centuries and 12 half-centuries. In the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2024, he's the leading run-scorer for Karnataka scoring 556 runs at an average of 92.66 in four matches with three hundreds.

Team management planning to send Patidar to play Ranji Trophy

Earlier, Rahul’s injury in the first game forced the team management to bring in Rajat Patidar who failed to leave a mark in the next three Tests.  The 30-year-old has scored just 63 runs from six innings in the series so far at an average of 10.5. He even registered a couple of ducks in the second innings of the third and fourth Test respectively. Following his poor form, the selectors want to release Patidar from the squad to participate in Madhya Pradesh’s semi-final against Vidarbha in the Ranji Trophy 2024.

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However, that will be only possible once Rahul regains fitness and is brought back into the squad since India will need an extra batter in the team if a concussion substitute is needed. Currently, there’s no clarity on Rahul’s return from London and the right-handed batter will also have to get the fitness clearance from the NCA before resuming batting.