The big news: KL Rahul returns

India’s head coach Anil Kumble dropped a hint that Karnataka’s KL Rahul will be included in the Indian starting XI for the second Test against England in Vizag, starting on Thursday. “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 his stellar performance for Karnataka in the Ranji Trophy. “[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.

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