India vs England 2016: KL Rahul is fit and will open the innings in the fourth Test

Indian opener KL Rahul has been declared fit and will now open the innings for India in the fourth Test match in Mumbai.

The 24-year-old Karnataka boy was injured and missed the third Test match at Mohali after he sustained an injury to his finger. Incidentally, Rahul was roped in for the second Test after he was not available for the series opener in Rajkot.

However, the injury-ravaged Indian team is still grappling with the fitness concerns of the other opener Murali Vijay who has suffered a side strain. The team management though is sounding optimistic about his fitness, and thus Vijay and Rahul should walk out to face the new ball.

With the availability of KL Rahul, the future of Gautam Gambhir is now in doldrums. He was reportedly in line for another comeback if both KL Rahul and Murali Vijay were not declared fit.

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Virat Kohli has already made it clear that KL Rahul is the Number 1 choice as the Indian opener and thus will walk in whenever he is fit and available.

Wicket-keeper batsman Parthiv Patel who opened the batting in Mohali will now drop down the order and Karun Nair would have to make way.

Watch: Kl Rahul’s intense workout session

Regular wicket-keeper Wriddhiman Saha is still suffering from a thigh injury and thus Parthiv Patel will continue to don the gloves. Patel impressed on his comeback where he scored 42 and an unbeaten 67. He was also quite safe behind the stumps, but there were few occasions when his keeping was a bit iffy.

India lead the 5-match series 2-0 and will go into Mumbai with an aim of wrapping up the series. The pitch in Mumbai is expected to turn from Day 2 and the Indian management has reportedly asked for a bald pitch, a surface which is conducive to spin bowling.

The England team too have made a list of changes in their squad and have roped in Keaton Jennings and Liam Dawson into the squad.

The fourth Test match begins on December 8.

Watch: KL Rahul speaks about Sportkeeda App