After missing the last three Tests for India, opening batsmen KL Rahul has been recalled to the squad ahead of the second Test against England in Vizag, the BCCI announced on Tuesday. The 24-year-old, who had suffered a hamstring injury, was sidelined after the first Test against New Zealand in September.
Since recovering from his injury, Rahul turned up for state side Karnataka in the last round of the ongoing Ranji Trophy against Rajasthan. He scored an 85-ball 76 in the first innings and remained unbeaten on 32 in the second essay against Rajasthan.
Incidentally, his replacement in the opening slot – Gautam Gambhir – has failed to impress in Rahul’s absence. The Delhi batsman, who was brought into the Indian squad after an absence of over two years, struggled in the first Test against England with scores of 29 and zero. He did, however, score a half-century in the third Test against New Zealand.