Picture Credit: Twitter
Team India is all set to resume national duties in a five-match T20 series against South Africa, starting from June 9th (Thursday) at Arun Jaitley Stadium, in Delhi. In the absence of regular skipper Rohit Sharma, who has been rested till the England tour, KL Rahul was trusted to lead the Men in Blue in a bilateral home series.
But, on the eve of the first T20I, Rahul suffered a groin injury during a training session at Arun Jaitley Stadium and has been ruled out of the home series. The wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant, who was earlier named as Rahul's deputy has now been handed over the responsibility to lead the side, and Hardik Pandya has been given the role of vice-captain in the squad.
While Pant confessed that he is happy to be trusted for such a high-stake task but admitted that it came to him in 'not a nice manner. While participating in the pre-match presser, Pant thanked the management, coach, family and fans for always helping him in his journey.
Having said that, KL Rahul has been shattered by the development and confessed that it's hard for him to accept the sudden turn of events that puts him away from leading the side for the first time at home. Taking to Twitter, KL Rahul wrote, "Hard to accept but I begin another challenge today. Gutted not to be leading the side for the first time at home, but the boys have all my support from the sidelines."
He further expressed gratitude towards everyone for supporting him and wished 'all the luck' to Rishabh Pant & Co. Apart from KL Rahul, Indian spinner Kuldeep Yadav has also been ruled out from the series after being hit on his right hand while batting in the nets last evening. Indian Selection Committee has not named any replacement for both the players as both will report to the NCA where the medical team will assess them further and decide on the future course of the treatment.