Rahul is likely to regain his spot at the top of the order

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Opening batsman Lokesh Rahul is back in India’s squad for the second Test against England in Visakhapatnam after recovering from a hamstring injury.

The Bangalore native sustained the injury while running between the wickets during the first Test against New Zealand in Kanpur in September.

Rahul’s return will be a major boost for India as the 24-year-old missed the first Test due to the injury, and was expected to be ruled out of the second Test as well.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) though confirmed that Rahul was fit to play and will be in contention for selection for the match, which starts on Thursday.

Rahul’s injury had kept him out of action for almost six weeks, but he represented Karnataka in the Ranji Trophy this week and looked in impressive form as he made scores of 76 and 32.

Rahul has played in nine Tests thus far and scored 562 runs, which includes three centuries and a fifty, at an average of 37.46.