India vice-captain KL Rahul and all-rounder Axar Patel have been ruled out of the upcoming T20I series against the West Indies at Eden Gardens. Ruturaj Gaikwad and Deepak Hooda have been named as replacements.
According to a media release, Rahul sustained an upper left hamstring strain while fielding in the second ODI in Ahmedabad. Axar, on the other hand, has resumed the “final stage of his rehabilitation” after recently recovering from Covid-19.
Both the players will now head to the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore.
Gaikwad’s addition leaves India with three opening options alongside captain Rohit Sharma. They have Ishan Kishan, who is the second wicketkeeper, and Venkatesh Iyer, the all-rounder who has had much of his T20 success as an opener for Knight Riders.
3000 spectators
The BCCI, it is learnt, has allowed 3,000 spectators for the first T20I at Eden Gardens on February 16. Only the upper tier of the Eden Club House and hospitality boxes have been permitted for spectators.
