IND vs ENG 2024: “It started as a niggle, maybe there is a bit more to it” – Aakash Chopra on KL Rahul’s injury

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has questioned clarity on KL Rahul’s injury. Rahul was ruled out of the second Test match against England due to a quadriceps injury. Ahead of the third Test match at Rajkot, the BCCI revealed that Rahul will miss the game as he has attained 90% match fitness.

Ergo, Rahul was expected to be back for the fourth Test match but is ruled out as he has not yet fully recovered. Chopra said it started with a niggle but Rahul’s injury is more serious than it was projected as he is set to miss the third Test match on the bounce.

Rahul had scored a fine knock of 86 runs in the first innings at Hyderabad and his absence has hurt India in the middle order, especially with Virat Kohli not being there due to personal reasons.

“They were saying that KL Rahul would be available for the next match and then the match after that, the third and the fourth Test, but now he could probably be available for the fifth, we don’t know as of now. So, it started as a niggle, maybe there is a bit more to it. You and I will never know,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.

The renowned commentator reckons Rahul’s absence is a great opportunity for Rajat Patidar to score runs. Patidar has thus far failed to grab his chance in the first two matches of his Test career.

“Since he is not available, it means there will be no change in the Indian XI as far as the batting lineup is concerned. So it’s a golden opportunity for Rajat Patidar to score runs, or else it could be a problem,” Chopra stated.

Chopra feels it will make more sense if the hosts decide to play Axar Patel ahead of either Mukesh Kumar or Akash Deep.

“In bowling, whether you play Mukesh Kumar or Akash Deep, play a spinner because there isn’t going to be much help for fast bowlers here. I have not been to Ranchi yet, I am going, but a spinner in Axar Patel is sitting outside,” he elaborated.

“So Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav and Ravichandran Ashwin can be your four spinners plus Mohammed Siraj – play with that. It won’t make a difference. The rest of the team can be same to same,” the cricketer-turned-commentator added.

India and England will next take on each other at JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi in the fourth Test match from Friday.