Injured Rahul likely to miss Irani Cup

KL Rahul, the Karnataka opener who batted through pain in the ongoing Ranji Trophy final, has been virtually ruled out of the Irani Cup tie against Rest of India, to be played in Bangalore from March 17.

Rahul's hamstring injury is likely to take 10 days to heal and the Karnataka team management is unlikely to risk him for the season-ending first-class clash, coming five days after they will be crowned Ranji champions. He did not take the field during Tamil Nadu's second innings on day four of the Ranji final.

Rahul strained his left ligament while sliding to stop a boundary on the opening day. Later that evening, he retired hurt after batting for just 20 minutes. He came back to bat with his team in trouble and formed a record sixth-wicket partnership of 386 with Karun Nair. All through his innings of 188, Rahul hobbled between the wickets.

The selectors, meanwhile, announced the Rest of India squad for the Irani Trophy after the Ranji Trophy final on Thursday. Two Tamil Nadu players, Baba Aparajith and Vijay Shankar, are a part of the squad that will be led by Manoj Tiwary. However, Dinesh Karthik and Tamil Nadu captain Abhinav Mukund, who are the leading run-getters of the Ranji season after Robin Uthappa do not find a place in the squad. Shardul Thakur, the joint highest wicket-taker in this Ranji season, and Varun Aaron have also been picked in the squad.

Rest of India squad: Unmukt Chand, Jiwanjot Singh, Paras Dogra, Manoj Tiwary, Kedar Jadhav, Naman Ojha, Rishi Dhawan, Jayant Yadav, Pragyan Ojha, Shardul Thakur, Varun Aaron, Rush Kalaria, Baba Aparajith, Jalaj Saxena, Vijay Shankar