Opening batsman KL Rahul will be included in the Indian starting XI for the second Test against England in Vizag, head coach Anil Kumble hinted on Tuesday.
“Rahul is certainly available for selection and you would want Rahul to be in [the] starting line-up and that’s the reason he has been included,” said Kumble, as quoted by PTI.
Rahul, who missed India’s last three Tests through injury, was included in the squad on Tuesday after an impressive show for Karnataka in the Ranji Trophy.
With stand-in opener Gautam Gambhir failing to make a mark in the first Test, Rahul looks set to open in Vizag.
“[Rahul] had an injury in Kanpur [during the series against New Zealand],” Kumble said. “Now he has recovered and as a protocol, he played a Ranji Trophy game. Today he scored a hundred (106) and in the first innings he scored 70-plus (76 off 85 balls). Since [the] match is happening close to Vizag [at Vizaianagaram], it’s good to have him in the squad and he is available for selection,” he added.
