KL Rahul ruled out of New Zealand Tests

Indian opener KL Rahul has been ruled out of the two-match Test series against New Zealand, starting Thursday (November 25), due to an injury. Suryakumar Yadav, who was a part of India's Test squad that travelled to England, has been added to the squad.

The 29-year-old sustained a muscle strain on his left thigh and will now undergo rehabilitation at NCA in preparation for the South Africa tour. Rahul was missing from the Indian team's customary practice session, attended by almost all the players on Tuesday at the Green Park stadium in Kanpur. 

Shubman Gill was seen opening the batting along with Mayank Agarwal during the team's net session as Cheteshwar Pujara, the vice captain for the series-opener, also batted.

It is understood that one among Shreyas Iyer or Suryakumar will make his Test debut and bat in the middle order. Gill was expected to bat in the middle order but now in the absence of Rahul, the youngster will be asked to play in his usual opening slot.

(With inputs from PTI)