KL Rahul was cleared to play for LSG in the IPL 2024 but might be limited to batting initially due to a quadriceps injury.
Lucknow Super Giants captain KL Rahul has received a fitness certificate from the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, paving the way for him to join his team ahead of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season. However, Rahul might not be able to fulfil his dual wicketkeeping and batting roles initially.
While Rahul joining LSG is positive news for the camp, a source within the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) revealed some limitations. The medical team of the BCCI has advised Rahul not to keep wickets in the initial stages of the tournament and to play as a specialist batter.
“He is fit and can join the IPL franchise in the coming days. He suffered pain in the quadriceps and got an injection too. He went through his rehabilitation, and the NCA has now declared him fit. However, he has been advised not to take on the wicket-keeping role immediately,” a BCCI source told PTI, as quoted by the Times of India.
“The NCA has given him clearance, and he will join his mates in Lucknow on Thursday (March 20) before they travel to Jaipur for the opening game against the Rajasthan Royals on March 24. It is understood that he has been told to avoid squatting initially, and he can don the big gloves in the coming days. For the first few games, he will only play as a pure batter,” added the anonymous source.
This restriction stems from the quadriceps injury Rahul sustained after the Hyderabad Test against England. He complained of pain and was subsequently ruled out of the remaining matches in the series.
Initially, the BCCI assured fans that Rahul was nearing full fitness, reaching 90% match-readiness under the watchful eye of their medical team. However, seeking a second opinion, Rahul travelled to England for further consultation with a specialist.
Upon the arrival of Rahul, the Lucknow Super Giants will start their IPL 2024 campaign by facing the Rajasthan Royals on March 24th.
Last Updated on March 19, 2024
