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It is understood that the Lucknow Super Giants are aware of his progress and are optimistic about his availability in the IPL.
Nagraj Gollapudi
KL Rahul will miss the final Test of the England series that begins in Dharamshala from March 7. ESPNcricinfo has learned that Rahul is currently in London to consult a specialist for the quadriceps tendon injury that ruled him out of the second, third and fourth Tests against England after playing the series opener in Hyderabad.
It is understood that his IPL team, Lucknow Super Giants, is aware of his progress and is optimistic about his availability in the tournament that begins on March 22. The Super Giants will play their first match on March 24, an afternoon fixture against Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur.
Rahul complained of discomfort in his right quadriceps immediately after the first Test that India lost. The initial prognosis made by the BCCI medical staff at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru, where Rahul went for rehabilitation, suggested that he would be fit in time for the third Test, which was played in Rajkot between 15 and 18 February. The selectors had named Rahul in The squad for the last three Tests will be subject to physical conditions.
However, Rahul never traveled to Rajkot and informed the medical staff that he did not feel 100% confident about his quad. He then also missed the Vizag and Ranchi tests as he continued to feel stiffness in his right leg even though scans done at the NCA did not show any red flags. It is understood that Rahul spoke to the selectors to inform them about the same. Once the specialist in London provides a report, Rahul needs to get clearance from the NCA before resuming cricket.
Last year, Rahul underwent surgery after “tearing his quadriceps tendon” while playing in the IPL match last May between Super Giants (where he is the captain) and Royal Challengers Bangalore. Rahul not only missed the rest of the IPL but also the World Test Championship final (held last June). Rahul then played in the Asia Cup and then the World Cup.
speaking to bcci.tv During the World Cup, Rahul said the psychological impact of the injury was serious and had made him doubt whether he could feel confident again.
Nagraj Gollapudi is news editor at ESPNcricinfo