Reports: KL Rahul ruled out of remainder of IPL 2023 owing to injury

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) skipper KL Rahul is likely to miss the remainder of the IPL 2023 season after sustaining an injury during the clash against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on Monday, May 1. The skipper hurt his right leg while chasing the ball in the outfield in the second over against RCB during the first innings.

Rahul will head to Mumbai for scans at a designated BCCI medical facility following the match against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Wednesday, May 3. A senior source of the BCCI confirmed that no scans have been done yet and stated that the BCCI will take over the case.

"KL (Rahul) is currently with the team in Lucknow but he is leaving the camp on Thursday after watching the game against CSK on Thursday after watching the game against CSK on Wednesday. His scans will be done in Mumbai at the BCCI designated medical facility,” a senior BCCI source privy to the development told on conditions of anonymity as quoted by The Times of India. 

Regardless of the extent of the injury, the apex cricket board does not want to take chances and could keep Rahul on the sidelines in order to help him recover just in time for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final. The batter is part of the red-ball contingent that will square off against fierce rivals Australia in the summit clash starting on June 7 at The Oval in London. 

Krunal Pandya to lead LSG

On that note, Krunal Pandya is likely to shoulder the leadership responsibility for the remainder of the season for LSG. The unfortunate news comes on the same day as pacer Jaydev Unadkat’s injury. Notably, the pacer sustained a blow to his left shoulder as his left foot got stuck in the rope during one of the net sessions upon which he clutched his shoulder. 

While Unadkat will travel to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru for rehab, Rahul too will begin his recovery following the scans. An official statement is awaited from the franchise and the management.