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KL Rahul added to India squad for second Test in Vizag

Last updated on: November 15, 2016 15:06 IST

KL Rahul

IMAGE: KL Rahul in action. Photograph: BCCI

Karnataka opening batsman KL Rahul, who scored a century in the Ranji Trophy, has been added to the Indian squad for the second Test against England, starting in Visakhapatnam, on Thursday.

"The All India Senior Selection Committee has decided to add India batsman KL Rahul to the Indian squad ahead of the second Test of the Paytm Test Series - 2016 between India and England to be played at Vizag from November 17, 2016," BCCI said in a media release on Tuesday.

"Rahul has fully recovered from his right hamstring injury and would be joining the squad today (November 15, 2016)," it added.

Rahul injured his hamstring during the first Test against New Zealand in October after which he missed the next two Tests of the series. He was also not considered for the first Test against England in Rajkot since he had not proved his fitness by playing in a domestic match, a requisite set by coach Anil Kumble for injured players making it back to the squad.

The right-hander made an immediate impact on his comeback from injury, hitting a century and a fifty for Karnataka in their ongoing Ranji Trophy match against Rajasthan in Vizianagaram.

With veteran Gautam Gambhir failing in both the innings of the first Test in Rajkot, the selectors and team management decided to include Rahul as the 16th member of the squad.

It remains to be seen if Gambhir will be given another opportunity or Rahul is drafted straight into the playing eleven for the next match.