India vs England 2022, fifth Test: KL Rahul missing out is a massive setback for India, says Sanjay Manjrekar

Sharma was India's top run-getter, amassing 368 runs in four matches, including a fine 127 in the second innings of the fourth Test at The Oval apart from fifties at Lord's and Headingley. Rahul, on the other hand, made 315 runs with a stunning 129 in the first innings at Lord's, becoming one of the main architects for a famous victory. But this time, while Sharma is returning to England with captaincy duties on his shoulders, Rahul is unavailable for the Edgbaston Test due to a right groin injury, which means that young Shubman Gill is in line to open the batting.

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Wicketkeeper Srikar Bharat impressed with an unbeaten 70, even as India's top-order failed to get batting practice on the first day of their warm-up match against Leicestershire here on Thursday. Opting to bat after winning the toss, India's top guns failed to fire as the visitors slipped to 81 for

With India seeking a Test series win in England for the first time since 2007, former India cricketer-turned-commentator Sanjay Manjrekar believes batting will be a big challenge for the visitors at Edgbaston and called Rahul missing out as a "massive setback". "It was just the remarkable effort of KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma at the top that saw India put up good enough scores to get the bowling make a match out of it and get that scoreline 2-1. This time around, with KL Rahul missing out, it's a massive setback for India. But there is hope in selection of Shreyas Iyer, if he gets a game and hopefully Hanuma Vihari figures as well; Cheteshwar Pujara is making a comeback. "India have the resources to fill that void. But when you look at India's seam bowling, there is quality there