In a serious blow to the Punjab Kings, captain KL Rahul has been hospitalized ahead of Sunday’s fight against the Delhi Capitals.
A statement by the franchise said the wicket-keeper batsman suffering ‘severe abdomen pain’ on Saturday which was later confirm to be a case of intense burst appendix.
KL Rahul will now sustain surgery and will definitely miss out on the next few matches for the franchise.
“KL Rahul complained of a severe abdomen pain last night and after not responding to medication, he was taken to the emergency room for further tests which revealed that he was diagnosed with acute appendicitis. It will be resolved surgically and for safety measures he has been transferred to the hospital for the same,” said the official statement.
Praying for KL Rahul’s health and speedy recovery 🙏❤️#SaddaPunjab #PunjabKings #IPL2021 pic.twitter.com/q81OtUz297
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) May 2, 2021
Currently, it is unclear whether KL Rahul will have to undergo required quarantine after recovering, as has been the criterion this season
KL Rahul’s performances so far in IPL 2021
KL Rahul is at the moment the Orange Cap holder in IPL 2021. In 7 innings, the right-handed opener has increased 331 runs at an average of 66.20. His form with the bat has been helpful in the side’s 5th-placed ranking in the list.
KL Rahul had possibly his best performance in the tournament in PBKS’s last game against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). His 57-ball 91, studded with seven 4 and five 6, single-handedly thrashed RCB out of the match.
The knock and the win had restored Punjab fans’ hopes for a qualifying round finish this season.
Northern Derby’s on our minds 🧠#SaddaPunjab #PunjabKings #IPL2021 #PBKSvDC pic.twitter.com/dJTzVG5g1r
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) May 2, 2021
PBKS have many expert names in the side, including IPL legend Chris Gayle and experienced Indian seamer Mohammed Shami.
If needed Gayle would possibly be the most appropriate option to replace KL Rahul at the helm, given his management experience in the brief format.
Additionally, Mayank Agarwal, who didn’t feature against RCB due to an injury, could open the batting side by side wicketkeeper Prabhsimran Singh.
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