IND vs NZ: KL Rahul ruled out of Test series with muscle strain, THIS player will open for India

Kanpur: In a massive setback to the Indian team, KL Rahul has been ruled out of the two-match Test series against New Zealand beginning here from Thursday due to injury.

The India opener sustained a muscle strain on his left thigh and has been replaced with middle-order Suryakumar Yadav.

"Team India batsman KL Rahul has sustained a muscle strain on his left thigh and has been ruled out of the upcoming 2-match Paytm Test series against New Zealand. He will now undergo rehabilitation at NCA in preparation for the series against South Africa scheduled next month. The All-India Senior Selection Committee has named Suryakumar Yadav as KL Rahul's replacement," the Board of Control for Cricket in India said in a media statement.

Rahul, who was Virat Kohli's deputy in the just-concluded T20I series, will undergo rehabilitation at National Cricket Academy (NCA) to prepare for the series against South Africa scheduled in mid-December.

The Indian opener has played 40 Tests and scored 2321 runs at an average of 35.16, with 199 as his highest score against England in Chennai in 2016.

Rahul's absence is a massive jolt, especially after the unavailability of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli at the top. The Bengaluru lad was in great touch, especially in the just-concluded T20 World Cup in UAE.

Suryakumar Yadav has replaced KL Rahul in India's 15-man Test squad against New Zealand, the BCCI announced on Tuesday.

The No.3 batsman had impressed with the bat in the first T20I against New Zealand in Jaipur where he was adjudged Player of the Match, after scoring 62 off 40 balls. But, a million dollar question is whether he would fit into the Playing XI in the first Test, beginning Thursday. The second Test will be played from December 3 to 7 in Mumbai.

There could be a toss up between him and Shreyas Iyer, but Shubnam Gill is for sure opening the batting along with Mayank Agarwal. Earlier, there were speculations that the Delhi batsman would play in the middle order. (UNI)