Ishan Kishan named KL Rahul's replacement for WTC Final

Ishan Kishan named KL Rahul’s replacement for WTC Final

Mumbai Indians opener Ishan Kishan has been named as the replacement for KL Rahul in next month’s World Test Championship against Australia at The Oval. Rahul, who recently got injured is set to undergo surgery followed by rehab in India.

Jay Shah, Honorary Secretary, BCCI stated, ” KL Rahul suffered an injury to his right upper thigh while fielding during Match 43rd of TATA IPL 2023 between Lucknow Super Giants and Royal Challengers Bangalore on 1st May. After consultations with specialists, it has been decided that Rahul will undergo surgery at the earliest followed by rehab at the National Cricket Academy for the same.”

Ishan Kishan, who is still uncapped in Test cricket has played 14 ODIs and 27 T20Is so far. Kishan has played 48 first-class matches so far for 2985 runs at an average of 38.76 with six hundreds, and in the recent Ranji Trophy season he played just two games and scored 180 runs while averaging 45. He is the second wicketkeeper besides KS Bharat in Team India’s WTC squad.

SS Ton Cricket bat shown in image

In addition to KL Rahul, pace bowlers Umesh Yadav and Jaydev Unadkat are also under the scanner for injuries but find themselves still in the WTC squad for now.

“Jaydev Unadkat sustained a left shoulder injury by tripping over the side rope while bowling in the nets. A specialist consultation has been sought and the left-arm fast bowler is currently at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru undergoing strength and rehab sessions for his shoulder. A decision on his participation in the WTC final will be taken at a later stage,” said the BCCI in a media release.

“Umesh Yadav sustained a minor left hamstring injury during Match 36 of TATA IPL 2023 between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on 26 April. The fast bowler is currently under the care of the KKR Medical Team and has started low-intensity bowling as part of his rehab process. The BCCI Medical Team is in regular touch with KKR Medical Team and is closely monitoring Umesh’s progress,” BCCI further added.

Additionally, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Mukesh Kumar, and Suryakumar Yadav have been named as the standby players for the WTC final.

Revised Team India squad for WTC Final: Rohit Sharma (capt.), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, KS Bharat (wk), R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Jaydev Unadkat, Ishan Kishan (wk)

Standby Players: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Mukesh Kumar, Suryakumar Yadav

Ajinkya Rahane Playing Test Match

Ajinkya Rahane recalled into Test team; picked for WTC final

Mumbai-batter Ajinkya Rahane has been named in the 15-member squad for the World Test Championship final against Australia set to be played at The Oval from June 7. The right-hander who was dropped from the Test squad back in January 2022 has been recalled following an amazing performance for Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League.

Rahane topped the run charts for Mumbai in a mostly forgettable Ranji Trophy 2022-23 campaign, his 634 runs at 57.63 including two centuries not enough for his side to make it to the knockouts. Playing for the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL, however, Rahane found a new tempo to his innings and at the time of this squad announcement, he had blitzed 209 runs from five innings at a strike-rate of 199.04.

Ajinkya Rahane will be responsible to handle the middle order duties, which seem a bit weak due to the absence of Test regulars Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer.

Team India Squad for World Test Championship final: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, KL Rahul, KS Bharat (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Jaydev Unadkat

The news of Rahane’s comeback to the Test team was widely appreciated by cricket fans and pundits. Here are a few reactions by the netizens:

Australia announce WTC final squad; Marsh and Harris recalled into the team

Australia announce WTC final squad; Marsh and Harris recalled into the team

The current number one Test team; Australia have announced their squad for World Test Championship final against India and the first two Tests in the Ashes. The 17-member squad comprises Test regulars like David Warner, Steve Smith, and Marnus Lambuschagne with new additions including Mitchell Marsh, Marcus Harris, and Josh Inglis.

George Bailey, chairman of selectors said, “The UK is a very different assignment from our most recent tour of India and some of the changes are based upon the conditions we are anticipating.” He further added, “We see value in revisiting the squad following the second Ashes Test given the short turnaround between the WTC final and the first Ashes Test, along with the length of the tour.”

Bailey stated, “Marcus, Josh and Mitch return to the squad and will provide valuable depth and flexibility within their respective skill sets. We see value in revisiting the squad following the second Ashes Test given the short turnaround between the WTC Final and the first Ashes Test, along with the length of the tour.”

David Warner, who is having a torrid time in the IPL has held onto his place. While Cameron Bancroft, the top run-scorer in Sheffield Shield, and Michael Neser, the second-highest wicket-taker of the tournament have not been included in the side. Additionally, Lance Morris, one of the fastest bowlers in Australia, has been ruled out through a back injury that requires at least six weeks of rest.

Australia, who will depart to the UK in late May, will trim their squad to 15 as per ICC rules for the WTC Final. That one-off marquee clash against India will be played at The Oval from June 7. The first Ashes Test will start at Edgbaston on June 20.

Updated squad for WTC final and Ashes: Pat Cummins (C), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Todd Murphy, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith (VC), Mitchell Starc, David Warner.

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