Lucknow Super Giants skipper KL Rahul in all likelihood will take no further part in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 after sustaining a serious thigh injury during team’s last game against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on Monday. The PTI can also confirm that veteran pacer Jaydev Unadkat's shoulder condition is serious and he too is ruled out of the IPL 2023.
It is understood that it will be a race against time for BCCI Sports Science & Medical Team to get the senior batter-keeper Rahul ready for World Test Championship final in London from June 7 to 11. Rahul injured his right thigh while sprinting towards boundary to a Faf du Plessis cover drive off Marcus Stoinis bowling.
“KL is currently with the team in Lucknow but he is leaving the camp on Thursday after watching the game against CSK on Wednesday. His scans will be done in Mumbai at the BCCI designated medical facility. His case as well as Jaydev’s case will be handled by BCCI,” a senior BCCI source privy to development told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
Update on KL Rahul injury.
1. No scans has been done till now as needs to wait 48 hours for swelling to lessen.
2. He will leave for Mumbai on Thursday where his scans and further tests will be done under @BCCI aegis
3. As of now, it's unlikely he will play in @IPL.#IPL #Rahul— Kushan Sarkar (@kushansarkar) May 3, 2023
The source also confirmed that no scans has been done till now. “When someone sustains an injury like this, there is considerable amount of pain and swelling that is there in and around the area. The swelling takes around 24 to 48 hours to heal and only after that can you perform the scan.
“Since he is an important member of Test team, it would only be prudent that he doesn't take any further part in IPL,” he further added.
“Once the scans ascertain the degree of injury, the BCCI medical team will decide the course of action,” said the source.
It is understood that even in case of Unadkat, things aren't looking great at the moment. “Yes, it’s a good thing that Jaydev doesn’t have a dislocation but the shoulder isn't in great shape and he can't play IPL any more as far as this season is concerned. Also we can't say if he will get fit in time for WTC final,” he concluded.
In Rahul’s absence, all-rounder Krunal Pandya will be expected to lead the side against Chennai Super Kings in Lucknow on Wednesday afternoon. Krunal had taken over the captaincy reigns after Rahul got injured in Monday night’s match.
Rahul was the second-highest scorer for LSG in IPL 2023 season so far with 274 runs in 9 matches with two fifties to his name and a top-score of 74. Overall in 118 IPL matches, KL Rahul has scored 4,163 runs at an average of 46.78 with 4 hundreds and 33 fifties to his name.
Lucknow Super Giants release statement on KL Rahul injury
LSG said in a statement on Wednesday afternoon that KL Rahul had been ruled out of match against Chennai Super Kings. However, the franchise didn't clarify whether he had been ruled out of the IPL 2023 yet.
Sending all our good vibes to KL. __
— Lucknow Super Giants (@LucknowIPL) May 3, 2023
“Lucknow Super Giants captain KL Rahul has been ruled out of Wednesday’s home match against Chennai Super Kings at the BRSABV Ekana, after suffering an injury during the match against RCB on Monday. The franchise is offering him the best possible care and support at this time, to ensure he recovers as quickly as possible. We will provide further updates in due course on when he can return to the field,” the LSG statement read.
“As we’ll miss him on the field, we join all LSG and cricket fans everywhere in wishing him a speedy recovery!” the statement added.
