Ishan Kishan replaces Rahul for WTC final

Wicket keeper-batsman Ishan Kishan was named as the injured KL Rahul’s replacement in India’s squad for the World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia at The Oval in June. Rahul, who had been captaining the Lucknow Super Giants, was ruled out of the rest of the IPL and the WTC final after suffering a thigh injury in a match while chasing a ball.
As per a BCCI statement, a decision on the availability of left-arm seamer Jaydev Unadkat - who had hurt his left shoulder while training - for the WTC final has been deferred. Once Rahul was ruled out, the choice was between a specialist opener (Yashasvi Jaiswal or Ruturaj Gaikwad and a ’keeper-bat.) Ultimately, Kishan made the cut. Kishan has played 14 ODIs and 27 T20Is so far. He scored the fastest-ever ODI double hundred (210) off just 126 balls-against Bangladesh in Chattogram in December last year.
“After consultations with specialists, it has been decided that Rahul will undergo surgery at the earliest, followed by rehab at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) for the same,” the BCCI said in its statement.
Rahul’s LSG teammate Unadkat has been out of the IPL after suffering a freak injury while training. He fell over the side rope while bowling in the nets. “Unadkat is currently at the NCA in Bengaluru undergoing strength and rehab sessions for his shoulder. A decision on his participation in the WTC final will be taken at a later stage,” the BCCI said in its statement.
Squad for WTC final: Rohit Sharma (capt. ), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, KS Bharat (wk), R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Jaydev Unadkat, Ishan Kishan (wk).
Standby players: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Mukesh Kumar and Suryakumar Yadav.