Sydney cricket test: India’s K. L. Rahul ruled out with injury

K.L. Rahul has been ruled out with injury, denting India’s stock of backup batsmen, according to The Associated Press.

David Warner is set for a comeback and Will Pucovski has been given the all clear, meanwhile, in potential boosts to Australia’s struggling top order, according to The Associated Press.

With a series lead on the line at the Sydney Cricket Ground, there’ll be changes in the personnel when the third test starts Thursday.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India on Tuesday said Rahul had sprained his left wrist during batting practice on the weekend and would return to the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru for rehabilitation on the injury, according to The Associated Press.

Rahul has not played a test match since 2019, but was factoring in calculations for a return with the series tied 1-1 and two matches remaining. Rohit Sharma seems set to make his return from injury, with the only doubt over where.

With Mayank Agarwal tallying just 31 runs in four innings this season, it could be a straight swap at the top, according to The Associated Press.

India’s batting depth is being tested. Skipper Virat Kohli played in the first test, which Australia won by eight wickets, before returning home to be with his wife, who is expecting the couple’s first child this month.

Stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane posted a century that was instrumental in guiding India to an eight-wicket win in the second test at Melbourne last week.

Both teams are in Sydney, weighing up the best formulations for starting XIs on a wicket that traditionally takes spin.