Will KL Rahul Play IND vs ENG 4th Test? Here's What Captain Rohit Sharma Said

As India played the 3rd Test match in Rajkot, KL Rahul focused on his recovery at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru to ensure his fitness for the remaining two Tests.

Indian cricket team's star middle-order batsman KL Rahul is expected to feature in IND vs ENG 4th Test match, scheduled to take place in Ranchi on February 23. Captain Rohit Sharma provided a recent update following post-match press conference in Rajkot on Sunday, expressing optimism about Rahul's availability. "He should be fine," Rohit told news18.com, indicating the keeper-batter's readiness for upcoming IND vs ENG 4th Test.

Both KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja were sidelined from the second Test in Visakhapatnam due to injuries but returned to India squad for the remaining three Tests in Rajkot, Ranchi, and Dharamshala, respectively. However, their participation hinged on their fitness status, and while Jadeja recuperated in time for the 3rd Test in Rajkot, Rahul's inclusion remained uncertain.

"KL Rahul, whose availability for the remaining three Tests was subject to fitness, has been ruled out of the third Test against England in Rajkot. Mr. Rahul has reached 90 per cent of match fitness and is progressing well under the supervision of the BCCI Medical Team," BCCI said in a media release on February 12.

As India played the 3rd Test match in Rajkot, KL Rahul focused on his recovery at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru to ensure his fitness for the remaining two Tests. The BCCI's media advisory highlighted that Rahul would persist with his rehabilitation process at the NCA, aiming to attain full fitness for the fourth and fifth Tests.

KL Rahul likely to replace Rajat Patidar in India playing 11 for IND vs ENG 4th Test in Ranchi

If KL Rahul returns, Rajat Patidar may find himself out of India playing 11 in 4th Test in Ranchi. Patidar made his India debut in the 2nd Test in Visakhapatnam, scoring 32 runs in the first innings and nine runs in the second innings. His struggle for runs continued in 3rd Test as the youngster managed mere 5 runs in two innings he batted for India in Rajkot.

Given Patidar's inability to score even 50-plus runs in the four innings he played for India across two Tests, he may indeed have to make way for Rahul in the fourth Test if the latter becomes fit.