Punjab Kings captain KL Rahul has been hospitalised after being diagnosed with acute appendicitis and will have to undergo surgery.
The Indian Premier League franchise, Punjab Kings captain KL Rahul has flown to Mumbai for surgery and further treatment after being diagnosed with acute appendicitis, which could keep him out of action for the foreseeable future.
Rahul was off the field for a part of the Punjab Kings’ game against Royal Challengers Bangalore. Rahul had complained of severe abdomen pain on Saturday night, and after not responding to medication, he was taken to the emergency room for further tests. On further inspection, it was revealed that it’s a case of acute appendicitis.
“KL Rahul complained of 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,
“ the team’s official release stated.
Rahul was expected to undergo surgery on Sunday night at the Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai. The franchise expects him to return to action within a week or 10 days.
But looking at the usual period of recovery following appendix surgery, Rahul might be doubtful for the remainder of the tournament. As returning to normal activity typically takes between one to three weeks, but performing strenuous activity takes a bit longer.
Also, with the IPL being held in a bio-secure bubble, it remains to be seen if Punjab can manage to get any relaxation for Rahul’s return given the strict BCCI guidelines on quarantine protocols.
“Post his surgery, his recovery will be in a bubble so that he remains in a protected environment (amid the COVID-19 pandemic),”
said a BCCI source.
KL Rahul’s unavailability a massive blow for Punjab Kings
KL Rahul’s absence is a huge setback for Punjab Kings, who are trying to get their campaign back on track. He’s the highest run-scorer of the tournament in IPL 2021, scoring 331 runs at an average of 66.20, including four half-centuries. He scored an unbeaten 91 against the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Kings’ previous match on Friday, which they won comfortably.
Apart from missing Rahul’s batting, PBKS will have to change their overseas combination, which will further hamper them, as it was seen in their match against DC, where Dawid Malan scored a run-a-ball 26. PBKS could only manage 166 runs despite Mayank Agarwal’s outstanding innings of 99 off 58 balls. A match they eventually ended up losing.
Rahul’s Karnataka teammate and opening partner Agarwal will be leading Punjab Kings in his absence. Agarwal had missed the game against RCB due to an injury he suffered in the match against Kolkata Knight Riders. He has regained full fitness.
The management chose Agarwal to lead the side while Rahul is recovering. Mayank Agarwal has so far scored 260 runs in seven games at an average of 43.3 and strike rate of 141.3. He also scored a magnificent 99 off 58 against DC, which happens to be the second-highest score by a player on the IPLcaptaincy debut.
Punjab Kings, who are still in search of their first IPL trophy, have three wins from eight games and their chances of making the playoffs are getting slim. They will need to win at least four games from the remaining six to have any chance of top four positions. Punjab Kings will take on Royal Challengers Bangalore in the return fixture on Thursday, May 6th at Ahmedabad.
