K L Rahul ruled out of Australia-India Tests after wrist injury

Indian wicketkeeper and batsman K L Rahul has been ruled out of the upcoming two Tests against Australia after he sprained his left wrist while batting in the nets at the MCG during Team India’s practice session on Saturday, the BCCI said in a statement.

"KL Rahul will not be available for the remaining two Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy as he will need about three weeks time to recover completely and regain full strength," the statement said.

Rahul, who can bat at the top as well as in the middle order, played the limited-overs matches against Australia but could not break into the test squad in the first two matches.

His name was doing the rounds for the third test in Sydney from Thursday as India, who levelled the series 1-1 in Melbourne, grapple with form and injury issues.

The tourists, missing regular skipper Virat Kohli who is on paternity leave, have already lost the pace duo of Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav to injuries.

Rahul's departure will effectively mean that one among Mayank Agarwal or Hanuma Vihari will save their place in the Indian playing XI depending on where vice-captain Rohit Sharma bats.

Both Vihari and Agarwal have been in poor form with one score of fifty-plus in eight innings.

If Rohit bats in his new-found opening slot, then it could be curtains for Agarwal for the time being.

Another option could be Agarwal and Rohit opening with Shubman Gill, despite his 45 and 35 not out, being pushed to middle order in place of Vihari.

The third option is Rohit batting in the middle order and Agarwal and Gill getting one more Test as an opening pair.

Rahul would return home to continue his rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru, the BCCI added.

(With inputs from Agencies)