India's T20I vice-captain KL Rahul and left-arm spin all-rounder Axar Patel have been ruled out of the upcoming three-match T20I series against the West Indies, said the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Friday. It also announced opener Ruturaj Gaikwad and all-rounder Deepak Hooda as replacements for Rahul and Patel respectively.
"Rahul sustained an upper left hamstring strain during fielding in the second ODI on February 9, 2022, while Axar has resumed the final stage of his rehabilitation after recently recovering from Covid-19. They will now head to the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru for further management of their injury," said a release from the BCCI.
In the second ODI against the West Indies on Wednesday, Rahul had made 49 off 48 balls while batting at number four. During the toss in the third ODI, captain Rohit Sharma had cited a niggle as the reason for Rahul's absence from the match. Patel, meanwhile, hasn't been in action since the Test series against New Zealand and had missed the tour of South Africa due to an injury.
