When Will Kohli, Shami, Iyer & KL Rahul Return? Dates Revealed

Kohli will be back in the IPL 2024 [X.com]

Lately, the Indian team has been hit by several injuries to some key players. And it's not just injuries; players like Virat Kohli and Ishan Kishan are out due to personal reasons as well. 

The unavailability of players has become an issue, posing challenges not only for the team management and skipper but also for the selectors tasked with picking the squad.

Indian cricket is fortunate to have depth in its talent pool, ensuring the absence of players doesn't affect the team significantly. For instance, in the ongoing Test series against England at home, as many as four first-choice players missed out for various reasons. 

Injuries to KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer in the middle of the series didn't help the team's cause. Despite these availability issues, the Indian team managed to win the series by emerging victorious in three of the first four Tests, with England winning only the first Test in Hyderabad.

After the fifth Test in Dharamsala, all players will join their respective franchises for the IPL 2024, which starts on March 22. India's next major assignment is the T20 World Cup 2024, scheduled in the USA and West Indies in June. 

The players who have missed action for various reasons will be discussed when India select the 15-man squad for the World Cup. It's essential to know the availability status of the star players, and here we will discuss the possible return dates for Indian players who are currently unavailable due to different reasons.

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Virat Kohli

Kohli's absence from his favourite format has triggered discussions about his future, with the reason not being disclosed until he announced the birth of his second child, prompting his paternity leave. He is slated to return to action on March 22 when CSK faces RCB in the IPL 2024 season opener.

Mohammed Shami

Shami recently underwent a heel surgery [X.com]

Since the ODI World Cup last year, Shami has been sidelined due to injury. He underwent surgery on his injured ankle in the UK on February 27, effectively ruling him out of the IPL. While he aims to return for the T20 World Cup, his participation hinges on his recovery speed, which currently seems unlikely.

KL Rahul

Rahul has been ruled out of the final Test vs ENG [X.com]

Following a quadriceps injury sustained after the Hyderabad Test, Rahul's availability for the 5th Test remains uncertain. If he misses the final Test, Rahul is expected to feature in the IPL.

Rishabh Pant

Rishabh Pant will represent DC in IPL 2024 [X.com]

Pant has been out of action since a severe accident on December 30, 2022. Anticipation surrounds his return, with the IPL 2024 marking his comeback as Delhi Capitals have confirmed his captaincy, albeit without keeping wickets in the tournament's first half.

Hardik Pandya

Pandya will lead MI in IPL 2024 [X.com]

Like Shami, Pandya has been sidelined since the 2023 World Cup. However, he recently returned to action for Reliance 1 in the DY Patil T20 Cup on February 26 and is set to lead MI in the IPL tournament.

Suryakumar Yadav 

Suryakumar Yadav in action [X.com]

Suryakumar underwent groin surgery in Munich, Germany, on January 17. Currently undergoing rehabilitation, he is on track for recovery and is likely to return in the IPL 2024.

Shreyas Iyer

BCCI has terminated Iyer's central contract [X.com]

Iyer was excluded from the Test team after the Vizag Test. He is set to represent his state team, Mumbai, in the semi-final of the Ranji Trophy 2024.

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