In his component: An excellent 151 in opposition to Tamil Nadu within the Ranji Trophy could have clinched a spot for Padikkal.
| Photo Credit: VEDHAN M
Devdutt Padikkal, the fashionable left-handed bat, has acquired his maiden call-up after Ok.L. Rahul — his Karnataka senior — has been ruled out of India’s third Test versus England, to be performed right here from Thursday.
“Rahul has reached 90% of match fitness and is progressing well under the supervision of the BCCI Medical Team,” Jay Shah, the BCCI secretary, wrote in an announcement.
“He will continue his recovery process at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru to be completely match-fit for the fourth and fifth Test.”
Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja — each of whom had missed the second Test after getting damage throughout India’s loss in Hyderabad final month — had been named within the squad for the final three Tests pending health clearance.
While India’s squad that reassembled right here on Sunday had its first coaching session on the stadium on Monday, Rahul is known to have undergone a health check on the NCA. With the selectors and the team-management, in session with the BCCI medical crew, deciding to not danger a participant, the choice committee unanimously zeroed in on Padikkal being given a maiden Test call-up.
Interestingly, chief selector Ajit Agarkar witnessed Padikkal’s sensational 151 for Karnataka in opposition to Tamil Nadu within the Ranji Trophy’s high-profile southern derby over the past 4 days.
It is known that Jadeja seemed to be match throughout Monday’s internet session which was performed behind closed doorways, with no mediaperson being allowed to observe the crew prepare.
It can be fascinating to see if Padikkal is made to attend for his India cap, with Sarfaraz Khan being the front-runner to interchange Shreyas Iyer in India’s middle-order. Sarfaraz was introduced in as Rahul’s replacement forward of the second Test and has been retained within the squad with Shreyas being dropped.
Rehan halted at airport
Meanwhile, England leggie Rehan Ahmed was stopped from exiting the Hirasar airport — on the outskirts of the Kathiawari metropolis — as a result of lack of multi-entry visa upon England’s arrival right here on Monday.
England’s squad spent the week-long break in Abu Dhabi earlier than arriving right here on Monday. It was observed that Rehan had a single-entry visa so the England squad waited on the airport within the afternoon earlier than the formalities had been accomplished.
It is known that with the assistance of native authorities, Rehan was granted a two-day visa on the earliest and the remaining paperwork can be accomplished nicely in time earlier than the scheduled begin of the match.
Leach ruled out
Rehan can be essential to England’s plans with Jack Leach, speculated to be the chief of the spin assault, having been ruled out of the rest of the collection. After sustaining a knee damage in Hyderabad, Leach missed the Visakhapatnam Test and has headed again residence. The England camp has not named a replacement for Leach.
