MUMBAI: Wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan was on Monday named as the injured KL Rahul's replacement in India's squad for the World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia at The Oval in June. Rahul, who had been captaining the Lucknow Super Giants, was ruled out of the rest of the IPL and the WTC final after suffering a thigh injury in a match while chasing a ball.
As per a BCCI statement, a decision on the availability of left-arm seamer Jaydev Unadkat - who had hurt his left shoulder while training - for the WTC final has been deferred.
"Rohit (Sharma, India captain) was keen that Kishan be in the mix. This is why he was included in the reserves earlier. Once Rahul was ruled out, the choice was between a specialist opener (the in-form Yashasvi Jaiswal or Ruturaj Gaikwad and a 'keeper-bat. Ultimately, Kishan made the cut," a source told TOI.
1/10:Ishan Kishan replaces KL Rahul for WTC final
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2/10:Ishan Kishan
<p>Ishan Kishan was on Monday named as injured KL Rahul's replacement in India's squad for the World Test Championship final against Australia at The Oval in June. </p>TNN
3/10:KL Rahul
<p>Rahul, who had been captaining the Lucknow Super Giants, was ruled out of the rest of the IPL and the WTC final after suffering a thigh injury in a match while chasing a ball. </p>AP
4/10:Test debut awaited
<p>Kishan was a part of India's squad in the Border Gavaskar Trophy at home in March, though he didn't get to make his Test debut. </p>Getty Images
5/10:Test cap?
<p>It would be interesting to see if the Indian team management decides to stick with 'keeper KS Bharat or gives a maiden cap to Kishan. </p>Getty Images
6/10:KS Bharat
<p>KS Bharat played in all the four Tests during the Border Gavaskar Trophy series but scored just 101 runs in six innings. </p>Getty Images
7/10:Jaydev Unadkat
<p>A decision on the availability of Rahul's LSG teammate Jaydev Unadkat - who had hurt his left shoulder while training - for the WTC final has been deferred. </p>Getty Images
8/10:Freak injury
<p>Left-arm seamer Unadkat has been out of the IPL after falling over the side rope while bowling in the nets. </p>PTI
9/10:Umesh Yadav
<p>Pacer Umesh Yadav, also on the injury list, had sustained a minor left hamstring injury in the match against Royal Challengers Bangalore on April 26. </p>IANS
10/10:No bowling
<p>Umesh Yadav hasn't bowled for Kolkata Knight Riders since the injury. </p>IANSKishan was a part of India's squad in the Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) at home in March, though he didn't get to make his Test debut. It would be interesting to see if the Indian team management decides to stick with 'keeper KS Bharat, who played in all the four Tests during the BGT series, but managed to score just 101 runs in six innings@20.20 or gives a maiden cap to Kishan, an aggressive left-handed batsman.
"After consultations with specialists, it has been decided that Rahul will undergo surgery at the earliest, followed by rehab at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) for the same," the BCCI said in its statement.
Rahul's LSG teammate Unadkat has been out of the IPL after suffering a freak injury while training. He fell over the side rope while bowling in the nets.
"Unadkat is currently at the NCA 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," the BCCI said in its statement.
Pacer Umesh Yadav, also on the injury list, had sustained a minor left hamstring injury in the match against Royal Challengers Bangalore on April 26. The Kolkata Knight Riders' bowler hasn't bowled since. " The fast bowler is currently under the care of KKR's medical team and has started low-intensity bowling as part of his rehab process. The BCCI's medical team is in regular touch with KKR's team and is closely monitoring Umesh's progress," the board's statement mentioned.
Meanwhile, Suryakumar Yadav, in-form opener Ruturaj Gaikwad, and seamer Mukesh Kumar have been named as the standbys for the WTC final.
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)
