KL Rahul clears the air around his fitness

Indian team announced a 15-men squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe, starting on August 18, on Saturday evening. Star batters Virat Kohli and KL Rahul were the surprise absentees from the list as both the players are missing the ongoing West Indies tour as well.

It was expected that Indian management will give chance to youngsters and fringe players for the Zimbabwe tour but few reports suggested that both Kohli and Rahul will be part of the squad to regain match fitness and form. Kohli has only played five international matches, all against England, since the conclusion of the Indian Premier League 2022. And KL Rahul is yet to make an appearance in the last two months.

I aim to recover as quickly as possible: KL Rahul

The 30-year-old wicketkeeper batter was named stand-in captain to lead India in five-match T20I series against South Africa at home last month. But the player suffered a groin injury just a day before the first match, which also ruled him out of India’s next two series against Ireland and England. He recovered from his injury earlier this month and was included in the ongoing five-match T20I series against West Indies. But Rahul tested positive for the Covid-19 test before on July 21, which forced him to miss the entire series.

But many reports emerged regarding the player’s unavailability and suggested that he will be leading team India on the Zimbabwe tour. But now the India vice-captain has posted a message on his Twitter handle, regarding his absence from the squad. He is aiming to regain full fitness as soon as possible and represent his country again.

“Hey guys. I wanted to clarify a couple of things about my health and fitness. My surgery in June was successful, and I had begun training with the hope of returning to national duty for the team’s tour of the West Indies. Unfortunately, as I was nearing a return to full fitness, I tested positive for COVID-19. This naturally pushes things back by a couple of weeks, but I aim to recover as quickly as possible and be available for selection as soon as I can. To represent the national team is the highest honor, and I cannot wait to get out there back in blue. See you soon, KLR,” KL Rahul wrote on his Twitter page.