Injury Setbacks Keep Kohli and Rahul Out of Ranji Trophy's Next Round: Report

Synopsis

Virat Kohli and KL Rahul have announced their inability to participate in the upcoming Ranji Trophy matches due to injuries. Kohli is suffering from neck pain, while Rahul is dealing with an elbow issue. They may return for the final group phase starting January 30, just before the ODI series against England begins.

Key Takeaways

Kohli and Rahul out of Ranji Trophy due to injuries.
Kohli has neck pain, Rahul has an elbow issue.
Both players might return for the final group phase.
ODI squad selections are coming soon.
Other key players will participate in the next round.

New Delhi, Jan 18 (NationPress) Virat Kohli and KL Rahul have notified the BCCI medical staff that they are facing injuries which will hinder their participation in the forthcoming round of Ranji Trophy matches scheduled to commence on January 23.

Kohli is experiencing neck pain, having received an injection on January 8, following the conclusion of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Sydney. Despite undergoing treatment, he continues to feel discomfort, thus ruling him out of Delhi's match against Saurashtra in Rajkot, according to an ESPNcricinfo report.

On the other hand, Rahul is contending with an elbow issue that will exclude him from Karnataka's game against Punjab in Bengaluru, as stated in the report.

On Thursday, the BCCI released a comprehensive set of instructions for players, which includes obligatory participation in domestic matches. Any player unable to play is required to obtain permission from the national chairman of selectors.

While both Kohli and Rahul will miss this round, there remains a possibility for them to return in the final group phase round, starting on January 30.

However, these matches will conclude just prior to the commencement of the ODI series against England on February 6. Both players are being considered for positions in the ODI squad and the Champions Trophy, with selections for both tournaments due to be announced on Saturday.

Other regular Test players such as Rishabh Pant (Delhi), Shubman Gill (Punjab), and Ravindra Jadeja (Saurashtra) will take part in the next round of Ranji Trophy matches.

India's Test captain Rohit Sharma also trained with Mumbai's Ranji Trophy squad at Wankhede Stadium earlier this week. Although Rohit's participation in Mumbai's upcoming Ranji game remains uncertain, his decision to practice with the team, in consultation with head coach Omkar Salvi, suggests a possible availability for at least one of the two remaining fixtures.