Ishan replaces Rahul in Indian team for WTC final, Saha not considered
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has included wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan in the squad for the World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia as a replacement for the injured Lokesh Rahul. Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) captain Rahul recently suffered a right thigh injury while fielding in the Indian Premier League (IPL) match against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). The WTC final will be held at The Oval in London from June 7 to 11. The BCCI said in a statement on Monday that a decision will be taken later on whether left-arm fast bowler Jaydev Unadkat will participate in the WTC final.
Unadkat suffered a shoulder injury during the practice session of LSG ahead of the match against RCB. In a statement released from the BCCI, secretary Jay Shah said, “The All India Senior Selection Committee has selected Ishan Kishan (for the WTC final) in place of Lokesh Rahul.” In the 43rd match of Tata IPL 2023 between Bangalore on May 1, he suffered an injury to his right thigh while fielding.
Many expected 39-year-old veteran wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha, who has been in fine form in the IPL, to return to the national team for one match but the Shiv Sunder Das-led selection committee did not even consider his name. Saha was categorically told last year that he would no longer be picked for the national team as the team management wanted someone younger as Rishabh Pant’s successor. A source aware of the matter told ‘PTI-Bhasha’ on the condition of confidentiality, “Ishan was the second wicketkeeper in the team for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (last Test series against Australia). The selection committee did not discuss Saha’s name.
According to a BCCI release, Rahul will undergo surgery at the earliest and will remain at the National Cricket Academy for rehabilitation. According to the BCCI statement, “After consultation with the experts, it has been decided that Rahul will undergo surgery at the earliest. He has been ruled out of the final of the upcoming ICC World Test Championship against Australia. . In his case, expert advice has been sought. The left-arm fast bowler is currently at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru and is undergoing ‘strength and rehab’ sessions for his shoulder. A decision on his participation in the WTC final will be taken later.
The BCCI said that Umesh Yadav had sustained a minor injury after the Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) match on 26 April. He has now started a moderate level of exercise. According to the statement, “The fast bowler is under the supervision of the KKR medical team and has started low-risk bowling as part of his rehab plan. The BCCI medical team is in regular touch with the KKR medical team and is closely monitoring Umesh’s progress. . Ruturaj Gaikwad, representing Chennai Super Kings in the IPL, has been selected in his place.
The Bengal opening batsman is fully fit and questions are being raised over his not being selected despite having an impressive record at India A level. Both the team management and the national selectors are believed to feel that Gaikwad has shown time and again in the IPL (a different format) that he has what it takes to succeed at the highest level. For the selectors, it is not just about the number of runs, the batsman’s skill is tested against a better attack. Easwaran has been unable to make it into the IPL team and hasn’t played any big innings in the knockout matches for Bengal in the last three seasons.
India squad for WTC final: Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, KS Bharat (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Akshar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Jaydev Unadkat, Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper). Standby players: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Mukesh Kumar, Suryakumar Yadav.
