WTC Final 2023: Three players who can replace KL Rahul in Team India's squad

KL Rahul suffered an injury while fielding in the LSG vs RCB clash in the ongoing IPL. Hence, in the next match against CSK, he did not play. However, reports were there that Rahul might miss the remainder of the IPL but his participation in the upcoming WTC Final will be decided by the Indian Cricket Board after all required scans. 

Advertisment

But, on 5 May 2023. KL Rahul confirmed on Instagram that he is going to miss both the remainder of IPL and the upcoming WTC Final. He also claimed that surgery on his thighs will undergo and after that, he will look to make a quick comeback. So, now, Team India needs to look for a player to replace this star batter for their match against Australia at the Oval.  

Here are three players who can replace KL Rahul in the Team India squad for the upcoming WTC Final against Australia: 

1. Sarfaraz Khan

Advertisment

This Mumbai batter has impressed everyone in the last few domestic seasons by scoring a lot of runs. In the Ranji Trophy, 2011-22, Sarfaraz Khan scored 982 runs in nine innings, at an average of 122.75. He smashed four centuries and two fifties that season. Then, in the last season, Sarfaraz scored 556 runs in nine innings, at an average of 92.66. He smashed three centuries and one fifty. So, fans were surprised not to see him getting a call-up in the longest format of the game in the recent series. Hence, now, he can be a good replacement for Rahul in the WTC squad.   

2. Abhimanyu Easwaran

This batter from Bengal can be another option for Team India to replace KL Rahul in the WTC squad. In the Ranji Trophy, 2011-22, Abhimanyu Easwaran scored 413 runs in 10 innings, at an average of 41.30. He smashed one century and three fifties that season. Then, in the following season, he scored 798 runs in 14 innings, at an average of 66.50. He smashed three centuries and three fifties.   

Advertisment

3. Suryakumar Yadav

This batter from Mumbai is another option that selectors can look to replace KL Rahul in the WTC squad. Suryakumar Yadav is currently busy playing in Mumbai Indians (MI) in the ongoing IPL. After a poor start to the tournament, he smashed three fifties in the last four matches. Recently, he also played one BGT match against Australia and scored just eight runs. In the last Ranji Trophy season, Yadav scored 223 runs in three innings, at an average of 74.33, including two fifties. His attacking approach while batting can be a good addition for Team India while there are some reports that he can be a standby option for the team for this clash.