Lucknow Super Giants have been dealt a major blow as pacer Jaydev Unadkat has been ruled out of the remainder of the IPL 2023 due to a left-shoulder injury. The 31-year-old Indian cricketer sustained the injury while training in the nets and was seen clutching his left shoulder after a nasty fall on his bowling elbow. According to a report by ESPNcricinfo, Unadkat will be fit in time for the World Test Championship final against Australia starting on June 7 at The Oval.
The Lucknow Super Giants skipper, KL Rahul, is also injured and set to miss a few games for his side. Rahul sustained a right leg injury while chasing a ball in the outfield during the match against Royal Challengers Bangalore on Monday evening. The extent of his injury is still unclear, and his participation in the WTC final is also uncertain at this stage.
Unadkat, who had gone wicketless in the three IPL games this season, is among the five fast-bowling options in India's squad for the WTC final, along with Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Umesh Yadav, and all-rounder Shardul Thakur. After undergoing scans in Mumbai and consulting with the BCCI's medical staff, Lucknow Super Giants decided to withdraw Unadkat from the IPL, and he is expected to head to the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru for rehab.