Reports: KL Rahul ruled out of the 1st New Zealand Test owing to an injury

As per the latest reports, India star batter KL Rahul has been ruled out of India’s 1^st Test against New Zealand which is to take place in Kanpur from November 25. Rahul, who looked in sublime touch, during India’s recently concluded T20I series against NZ, has been reported to have sustained an injury.

Rahul flaunted class during India’s T20Is against New Zealand which was ultimately won by India clinically. He appeared in great touch of late and his absence will come as a huge loss for India who would already be without the presence of Rohit Sharma in the Test series.

Rahul was most likely to open the order for India alongside Mayank Agarwal but an injury to him will push India to reconsider their combinations. It remains to be seen if he will be able to mark his return for the 2^nd Test to be held in Mumbai from December 03. Before the T20Is, Rahul appeared in a brilliant form during India’s campaign in T20 WC despite their early exit.

I felt KL Rahul should have been awarded: Harshal Patel

As soon as India won the series by clinching the second T20I game against NZ, debutant Harshal Patel was awarded as player of the match award for his fine figures but he added that Rahul deserves the award for his great knock in difficult conditions.

“I didn’t expect the Player-of-the-Match award as honestly, I felt KL (Rahul) should have been awarded but am not complaining. The way he batted on a difficult pitch, it was an exceptional knock,” said Harshal Patel while speaking after his dream debut.

It was also in a recent while when former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra predicted that if KL gets into mega auction, he is surely going to fetch around 2 crores and will be the most expensive player in the auction.

“If KL Rahul ends up in the auction…and if the draft system doesn’t put a ceiling on a player’s salary… he will easily be the most expensive player in the upcoming auction. 20 Crore,” said Chopra on his Twitter recently.