Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra feels injuries and illness at the wrong time have been a big hurdle in KL Rahul’s career. Rahul has been ruled out of the second Test match after complaining of quadriceps pain in his right leg.
Rahul returned with scores of 86 and 22 in the opening Test match at Hyderabad and his absence is a big blow for the team as Virat Kohli has opted out of the first two matches due to personal reasons.
Furthermore, Ravindra Jadeja has been ruled out of the second Test due to a hamstring injury.
Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel, “This has been the biggest problem in KL Rahul’s career. Injuries or illnesses have come at the wrong time and they have come many a time. When you feel everything is gone fine – injury, dengue or COVID – something or the other goes wrong with him. I feel Rahu is sitting in his kundali.”
The reputed commentator added that Rahul’s absence is a massive blow for the team as he can play the sweep shot against England spinners.
“The way he played in the first innings, and to be fair, he was batting assuredly in the second innings as well. There are very few people in our team who play the sweep. Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul play the sweep, and KL Rahul will now not be there in this game.”
Meanwhile, Sarfaraz Khan was added to the Indian squad after Rahul was ruled out. Earlier, Rajat Patidar was added to the squad after Virat Kohli decided to withdraw from the first two matches.
“Sarfaraz Khan and Rajat Patidar are available with this team. Ruturaj Gaikwad and Virat Kohli are still not there. They will have to play either Rajat Patidar or Sarfaraz. You can go towards Sarfaraz because he can play in an unorthodox fashion and is a very good player of spin.”
However, Chopra reckons Rajat Patidar will be ahead in the pecking order as he has been with the team.
“However, Rajat Patidar is ahead in the pecking order, as he was with the team earlier. So, he might get the nod as he has come after scoring a lot of runs in domestic cricket and playing a lot of spin,” Chopra reasoned.
Patidar has scored 4000 runs at an average of 45.97 in 55 first-class games whereas Sarfaraz Khan has amassed 3912 runs at an average of 69.85 in 45 first-class games.
The second Test match between India and England will be played at Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam from 2nd February.
