Lucknow Super Giants skipper KL Rahul in all likelihood will take no further part in the Indian Premier League (IPL) after sustaining a serious thigh injury during team’s last game against Royal Challengers Bangalore.
The PTI can also confirm that veteran pacer Jaydev Unadkat’s shoulder condition is serious and he too is ruled out of the IPL.
It is understood that it will be a race against time for BCCI Sports Science & Medical Team to get the senior batter-keeper Rahul ready for World Test Championship final in London from June 7 to 11.
IPL 2023: LSG vs CSK – Who will the unforgiving Lucknow pitch be kinder to?
Rahul injured his right thigh while sprinting towards boundary to a Faf du Plessis cover drive off Marcus Stoinis bowling.
“KL is currently with the team in Lucknow but he is leaving the camp on Thursday after watching the game against CSK on Wednesday. His scans will be done in Mumbai at the BCCI designated medical facility. His case as well as Jaydev’s case will be handled by BCCI,” a senior BCCI source privy to development told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
The source also confirmed that no scans has been done till now.
“When someone sustains an injury like this, there is considerable amount of pain and swelling that is there in and around the area. The swelling takes around 24 to 48 hours to heal and only after that can you perform the scan.
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IPL 2023: KL Rahul’s injury big concern as LSG get ready for CSK challenge
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<p>Hit by injuries to skipper KL Rahul and seamer Jaydev Unadkat, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) would be wary of Chennai Super Kings’ ability to bounce back when the two sides face each other in an Indian Premier League (IPL) match in Lucknow on Wednesday.<br /></p>
<p>LSG would also be facing the heat after failing to chase down a meagre total of 126 in their own den, getting bundled out for just 108 in 19.5 overs by Royal Challengers Bangalore on Monday.<br /><br /></p>
<p>Rahul sustained injury on his right thigh during the match against RCB on Monday, while Unadkat slipped badly while bowling at the nets, resulting to a nasty fall on Sunday.<br /><br /></p>
<p>The extent of both the injuries is yet to be ascertained but Rahul came out to bat at No. 11 in LSG’s unsuccessful run chase, facing three balls without opening account. His inclusion in the LSG team for Wednesday’s match is doubtful.<br /></p>
<p>LSG’s performance this season has swung wildly. While on the one hand, they have given commanding performances that have become the envy of other sides, they also have a self-destruction button hidden somewhere, which goes off automatically.<br /></p>
<p>Their match against Punjab Kings on April 28 was a reminder what the team can achieve collectively, while their game against RCB on Monday was an example of how calamitously a team could lose while chasing a miniscule total of 126.<br /></p>
<p>LSG’s weakness of succumbing to pressure, especially when their skipper Rahul might not be able to play on Wednesday due to a likely pulled hip flexor muscle, could give the MS Dhoni-led CSK enough confidence to go all out on the offensive.<br /></p>
<p>Though CSK are coming off consecutive losses to Rajasthan Royals and Punjab Kings, their ability to bounce back can never be underestimated.<br /></p>
<p>With the tactical acumen of Dhoni playing a vital role in most of their victories this season, the former India captain could exploit the situation, especially if Rahul does not play on Wednesday.<br /></p>
<p>CSK will once again lean heavily on their New Zealand opener Devon Conway, who has been in the form of his life, scoring 414 runs from nine matches at an average of 59.14 and strike rate of 144.25.<br /></p>
<p>It was bad luck that CSK lost to Punjab despite Conway smashing an unbeaten 92 at Chepauk to guide his team to 200 for four, only to see the total being overhauled off the last ball.<br /></p>
“Since he is an important member of Test team, it would only be prudent that he doesn’t take any further part in IPL,” he further added.
“Once the scans ascertain the degree of injury, the BCCI medical team will decide the course of action,” said the source.
It is understood that even in case of Unadkat, things aren’t looking great at the moment.
“Yes, it’s a good thing that Jaydev doesn’t have a dislocation but the shoulder isn’t in great shape and he can’t play IPL any more as far as this season is concerned. Also we can’t say if he will get fit in time for WTC final,” he concluded.
