Last Updated:
According to a report, Virat Kohli and KL Rahul have informed the BCCI’s medical staff that they are carrying niggles which will not allow them to play the next round of Ranji Trophy matches.
Virat Kohli and KL Rahul are not available for next round of Ranji Trophy matches. (Picture Credit: AFP)
Star Indian batters Virat Kohli and KL Rahul will miss the next round of Ranji Trophy matches due to fitness-related issues. It has been reported by ESPNCricinfo on Saturday that Kohli has been dealing with neck pain, whereas Rahul has an issue in his elbow. The duo has informed the BCCI medical staff that they are carrying niggles that will not allow them to take the field for Delhi (Kohli) and Karnataka (Rahul) from January 23.
Delhi will face Saurashtra in the Elite Group D match in Rajkot from January 23 to 26, whereas Karnataka will face Punjab in the sixth group stage match of the ongoing Ranji Trophy season in Bengaluru.
As reported on Friday as well, Kohli had neck pain and had taken an injection on January 8. The former India captain has informed the BCCI medical staff that he is still experiencing pain. As for Rahul, he has an elbow issue.
However, there is a possibility that the duo can take part in the last group stage matches of the Ranji Trophy for their respective teams from January 30 to February 2.
The BCCI has made it mandatory for all its players to take part in domestic cricket. In case the player is not available to play, he will need permission from the national chairman of selectors.
Among the Indian Test players who are set to play in the Ranji Trophy are Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, and Rishabh Pant. While Pant will take the field for Delhi, Gill and Jadeja are set to be in action for Punjab and Saurashtra, respectively.
Jadeja, who is the world No. 1 all-rounder, last played in the Ranji Trophy for Saurashtra in January 2023 before making a comeback to India’s Test side for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at home.
Gill and Pant played the first match of the Duleep Trophy 2024 for India B and India A, respectively, in Bengaluru last year.
Young Indian opening batter Yashasvi Jaiswal has also made himself available for Mumbai’s next Ranji Trophy match against Jammu & Kashmir, but there is still no official update on Rohit Sharma’s participation in the match. Rohit trained with Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy team at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Tuesday.
