KL Rahul tests positive for Covid-19 ahead of West Indies T20Is

The Indian team has suffered a huge blow ahead of their T20I series in the Caribbean as vice-captain KL Rahul tests positive for Covid-19 just days before departing for the West Indies for a five-match T20I series commencing on 29th July.

The opening batter was continuing his recovery from surgery at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru. The star batter was seen engaging in a mobility drill and some workout sessions in the gym during his recovery process. He was included in the T20I squad for the West Indies series but would have been included in the playing XI only after passing the fitness test.

The Karnataka man has been out of action since the culmination of IPL 2022 and is likely to miss the T20I series due to this recent incursion. He might be seen in action on India’s tour of Zimbabwe in August and might also lead the Men in Blue in the absence of several senior players.

While Rahul’s presence in the T20I series has been thrown into uncertainty, spinner Kuldeep Yadav will travel to the Caribbean after clearing the fitness test.

Senior batter KL Rahul @klrahul has tested positive for #COVID19: @BCCI president @SGanguly99 told reporters after Apex Council Meeting.#CricketTwitter

— Kushan Sarkar (@kushansarkar) July 21, 2022

VVS Laxman shares post on KL Rahul addressing candidates at NCA

This is another setback for the Indian team who has struggled in the opening slot in white-ball cricket since the absence of the mercurial opener. Rahul led his Lucknow Super Giants side to the knockout stages of IPL 2022 in their debut season while leading from the front, scoring 616 runs at an outstanding average of 51.33.

Rohit Sharma will hope that the influential batter can recover quickly from his latest misfortune as India will need his expertise in the T20 World Cup in Australia, scheduled to commence in October, later this year. During his rehabilitation at the NCA, the 30-year-old addressed the candidates appearing for their Level-3 coaching certification.

Thank you @klrahul for addressing the candidates attending the Level-3 coach certification course at NCA. Listening to your different experiences as a player and captain will definitely help these passionate coaches to learn, improve and excel in their careers. @BCCI #NCA pic.twitter.com/LS3bdPCkIO

— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) July 21, 2022

Former Indian cricketer VVS Laxman thanked Rahul for making time to address the candidates, he wrote in a post on Twitter reading: “Thank you @klrahul for addressing the candidates attending the Level-3 coach certification course at NCA. Listening to your different experiences as a player and captain will definitely help these passionate coaches to learn, improve and excel in their careers.”