KL Rahul has been added to India’s squad for the second Test against England at Visakhapatnam, BCCI confirmed.
NEWS ALERT – Batsman @klrahul11 added in #TeamIndia squad ahead of 2nd @Paytm Test in Vizag #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/0IRHnJfHVF
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 15, 2016
The 24-year-old had been sidelined from the national team after suffering a hamstring injury during the first test against New Zealand, which forced the board to look for alternatives in the names of Gautam Gambhir and Karun Nair.
However, the Karnataka batting sensation recovered from the injury and played for his state in the Ranji Trophy.
The elegant right-hander scored an impressive fifty in the first innings against Rajasthan and backed it up with a brilliant hundred in the second innings. The innings proved display that the youngster has regained full fitness and form ahead of the Vizag Test.
Gautam Gambhir, who had played an important knock in the Indore Test, failed to make his mark in the Rajkot Test and that might have prompted the selectors to immediately take this decision.
The emergence of Rahul post T20 World cup had helped India across all the three formats.
Rahul’s inclusion would boost the Indian batting line-up as Virat Kohli seems to be keen on persisting with five bowlers against England.
Considering the fact that Vizag pitch had traditionally been a spin-friendly wicket, Kohli would be looking to play with three spinners yet again to have the edge in the Test despite winning or losing the toss.