India's wicketkeeper-batter K.L. Rahul may miss the upcoming World Test Championship final against Australia in June due to a right leg injury. Rahul sustained the injury during a match between his team, Lucknow Super Giants, and Royal Challengers Bangalore in the ongoing IPL 2023.
According to a report in Cricbuzz, Rahul is now in Mumbai for scans, and his participation in the WTC final, scheduled to be played at The Oval from June 7-11, will depend on the results. While the extent of the injury is unknown, some sources speculate that it could be a hamstring or hip injury.
Left-arm pacer Jaydev Unadkat is also ruled out of the IPL and his WTC final preparation is also in doubt after a freak training accident. Unadkat was bowling around the wicket in the nets when his left foot got stuck in the orange rope holding the nets, and he fell badly on his left elbow.
The Indian team is set to leave for London for the WTC final on May 23, after the league stage of the IPL 2023 ends on May 21. Players whose IPL teams will be in the playoffs will leave for London at a later date.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) may name replacements once the extent of Rahul's injury is known. Ishan Kishan, who was recently in the Indian team, is being touted as a possible replacement and could serve as the second wicketkeeper for the one-off Test.