The Indian cricket team was already set to go into the test series against New Zealand without some of their main players who have been rested after a rigorous recent schedule, and now they have suffered another major injury blow as the opener KL Rahul has been ruled out of both the test matches having sustained a muscle injury.
Suryakumar Yadav, who was already added to the squad after the T20I series as a cover for KL Rahul, has now been drafted into the 15-member side, and he is now competing with Shreyas Iyer for an opportunity to make a debut in test match cricket.
With KL Rahul not there, Shubman Gill, who was being considered for a middle order role, will now have to open the batting again with Mayank Agarwal, while a vacant middle order spot will be given to either Shreyas Iyer or Suryakumar Yadav.
Shreyas Iyer, more likely to be brought in the playing XI for KL Rahul
Since Shreyas Iyer was there in the squad originally, he might have the first crack at the middle order spot in Kanpur. India are likely to play only 5 specialist batsman in the first test match with a wicketkeeper batsman and three spin allrounders, making it a fairly deep batting line up.
It will, however, not be easy for either Shreyas Iyer or Suryakumar Yadav to take up the no. 5 position because New Zealand has a high-class bowling attack, even though the conditions might not suit them in India.
This is the first time that India will play their spin trio of Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel together in a home test match. While Ashwin and Jadeja’s greatness as test match bowlers on Indian turf is well known, Axar Patel started his test career with 27 wickets in 3 test matches against England at home earlier this year.
India’s bowling looks balanced and batting doesn’t look too thin either, but some of the Indian fans are still worried that India might struggle in the absence of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and now KL Rahul. Here is how twitter reacted when the news broke out that KL Rahul was ruled out of the entire test series –
Mayank Agarwal and Shubman Gill to open in the first Test match against New Zealand. Suryakumar Yadav or Shreyas Iyer likely to make debut.
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) November 23, 2021
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No Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul for the first Test against New Zealand.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) November 23, 2021
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Kohli, Rohit, Pant rested.
KL Rahul injured.Ideally Hanuma Vihari should have filled the gap. But now we will have SKY or Shreyas Iyer debut! 🤬🤬
AdvertisementThey are not Test cricket quality, especially for away Tests. Even if they score a 300, my view will stay unchanged! 👍👍
— #KohVid Warrior (@wildcardgyan) November 23, 2021
Kl rahul out of test series now , sky replaces him.
Shreyas iyer debut confirmed in first test https://t.co/7DBNZvIMrM
— Vishal (@Fanpointofviews) November 23, 2021
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Out of form Gill, Struggling Mayank, debutants Shreyas Iyer and SKY – against deadly pace attack of NZ ☹️🥲🥲.
— 𝙝𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙝. (@hrishikesh__j27) November 23, 2021
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🇮🇳🚨 ATTENTION: Suryakumar replaces KL Rahul in the Test squad. We wish KL a speedy recovery from the muscle strain that he has sustained ❤️
📸 Getty • #INDvNZ #NZvIND #suryakumaryadav #TeamIndia #BharatArmy pic.twitter.com/dnkEYQruxb
Advertisement— The Bharat Army (@thebharatarmy) November 23, 2021
KL Rahul ruled out of the NZ Test series due to muscle strain on left thigh. Suryakumar Yadav will replace KL Rahul in the Test squad
Advertisement— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) November 23, 2021
I feel Shreyas Iyer/Suryakumar Yadav will make their Test debut in Kanpur while Shubman Gill will open. Guess it'll be Shreyas Iyer who'll get the opportunity.
AdvertisementFun fact: Shreyas Iyer hit his 1st FC fifty in Kanpur (Modi Stadium) in 2014/15 when Suryakumar Yadav was the captain
— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) November 23, 2021
Mayank Agarwal and Shubman Gill to open in the first Test match against New Zealand. Suryakumar Yadav or Shreyas Iyer likely to make debut.
— Rahul Mistry (@RahulMi75610468) November 23, 2021
KL Rahul out due to knee injury 😕 from first test, so Mayank Agarwal and Shubman Gill will open in first test and Suryakumar Yadav or Shreyas Iyer will make debut…..#INDvNZ #CricketTwitter
— Dibyajyoti Das (@Dibyajyoti_Das2) November 23, 2021
