Sport
IPL: Major setbacks for Lucknow as Rahul and Unadkat injured
Lucknow Super Giants received big setbacks through injuries to captain KL Rahul and Jaydev Unadkat during Sunday’s match against Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Rahul limped off the field after having injured either his right hamstring or quad when chasing a ball in the second over against RCB.
Unadkat injured his left shoulder after landing on the elbow in his follow-through in the nets on Sunday.
While an update on Rahul was awaited, LSG were waiting for word on whether Unadkat needs to travel to Mumbai for scans. Krunal Pandya took up captaincy duties in Rahul’s absence.
Apart from being the captain, Rahul is the second-highest run-scorer for LSG in this IPL.
It was immediately apparent it was a serious injury when Rahul pulled up during the chase in the outfield after Faf du Plessis steered the ball towards the boundary. He went down immediately, and waited for medical attention.
The support staff was so worried about it they immediately called for a stretcher to help him off the field.
In what was small consolation for LSG, Rahul hobbled off without the stretcher, but not without some assistance for support. Not only LSG, but even the India team will look closely at the injuries as both are part of the squad for the World Test Championship final in early June in England.
Unadkat was bowling around the wicket in the nets when in his follow through his left foot got stuck in the rope that keeps the nets up. He had a nasty fall on his elbow, and was seen with his arm in a sling with an ice pack on his left shoulder.
It is understood that he will remain in Lucknow for now, and is in touch with the BCCI medical staff, awaiting instructions on whether he needs to travel to the NCA in Bengaluru or elsewhere for further consultation. It appears that while he is in pain, the shoulder is not dislocated.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) confirmed on Friday that it will host West Indies for a three-match T20I series in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from January 19 to 22.
The series will begin on January 19, with the second and third T20Is scheduled for January 21 and 22. It is expected to provide both teams with valuable match practice and will play a key role in their preparations for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled less than a month after the series.
ACB CEO Naseeb Khan said: “Competing against West Indies on the brink of a global event presents an excellent opportunity for our team to finalize their lineup and enhance preparations for the upcoming tournament in India and Sri Lanka. We have been closely monitoring the team’s preparation process, and facing a quality West Indies side offers an ideal platform for their buildup.”
CWI Director of Cricket Miles Bascombe added: “This series provides an ideal platform for our preparations. Facing strong opposition in subcontinental conditions will help us sharpen our combinations and approach, while also giving our players a chance to build confidence on surfaces similar to those we’ll encounter in India and Sri Lanka.”
Series Schedule:
Afghanistan’s national cricket team continued their dominant form in the Hong Kong Sixes tournament on Friday, recording back-to-back victories over Nepal and South Africa.
Against South Africa, Afghanistan posted 148 runs in six overs. Captain Gulbadin Naib starred with 50 runs off just 12 balls, while Karim Janat added 46 from 11 deliveries. South Africa could muster only 99 runs in response, giving Afghanistan a commanding 49-run win.
Earlier on Friday, Afghanistan had defeated Nepal by 17 runs, marking a perfect start to the tournament.
The Hong Kong Sixes features twelve teams, each with six players, competing in a fast-paced, six-over format.
The Afghanistan national futsal team played to a 2–2 draw with Iran in their second match of the Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh on Thursday.
Sayed Mujtaba Hosseini and Mahdi Nowruzi were on target for Afghanistan.
Having defeated Tajikistan in their opening game of the tournament, Afghanistan will face Morocco in their final group-stage match next Saturday.
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