WI vs IND: KL Rahul advised more rest, set to miss T20I series

Team India opener KL Rahul is set to miss the upcoming T20I series against the West Indies. He was expected to join the team for the series in the shortest format and had recovered from his injury as well. But he tested positive for COVID-19 before travelling to the Caribbean nation. Though he was supposed to join the team soon after recovering, it is understood that the Karnataka cricketer has been advised more rest by the BCCI‘s medical team.

It has been a tough few weeks for Rahul as he underwent a sports hernia surgery in June and also had to miss a crucial England tour where India played a Test, 3 ODIs and as many T20 Internationals. He was in Bengaluru rehabilitating before testing positive for the virus.

According to reports in ESPNCricinfo, KL Rahul was supposed to join team India for the USA leg of the T20Is, where two matches are scheduled to be played, depending on the results of his cardiovascular tests. But now, he will miss the entire tour, and his focus now shifts on the upcoming Zimbabwe tour, where India will play three ODIs against the home team. India will then be a part of the Asia Cup in less than a week from August 27.

Will Rishabh Pant open?

With KL Rahul not playing the T20I series against West Indies, it will be interesting to see if Rishabh Pant will get a chance to open the innings with Rohit Sharma. Ishan Kishan is also part of the squad as the second wicket-keeper and has a chance to get the nod as an opener, depending on what the team management thinks.

India have named the strongest possible squad for the T20I series against West Indies apart from Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah, who have been rested. The duo is expected to return for the Asia Cup. Meanwhile, the Men in Blue will play the third and final ODI of the three-match series on July 27.