New Delhi: India batter KL Rahul has sought a breather from the upcoming white-ball series against England with the Board of Control of Cricket in India likely to accept his request with an eye on the Champions Trophy.
India host England for five T20Is and three ODIs with the 20-over series beginning on January 22 in Kolkata. The series acts as India’s build-up to the Champions Trophy that starts on February 19 in Pakistan.
However as India have refused to play in Pakistan citing security concerns, their matches would be held in Dubai.
Rahul was part of the Indian squad that lost 1-3 to Australia in the Border-Gavaskar series, scoring 276 runs in 10 innings at an average of 30.66, emerging as India’s third highest run getter in a series where most of the batters struggled.
“He has sought a break for the England series but he will be available for selection for Champions Trophy,” a BCCI source was quoted as saying by PTI on Thursday.
Rahul eyes keeper-batter’s slot
Rahul has put his focus on the high-profile Champions Trophy as he is locked in a three-way battle with Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson for the wicketkeeper batter’s slot.
Not only national duty, the right handed batter also made himself unavailable from Karnataka’s Vijay Hazare Trophy games with the state side scheduled to play their quarterfinal over the weekend.
As the BCCI has issued a circular for players to participate in domestic cricket and head coach Gautam Gambhir stressing on the need to play domestic cricket for all national team players after the series loss in Australia, it would be interesting to see if Rahul makes himself available for the Ranji Trophy matches.
India host England for five T20Is and three ODIs with the 20-over series beginning on January 22 in Kolkata. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
