KL Rahul showed up for his first net practice with the Indian team on Thursday after joining the Asia Cup team in Colombo, and he looked the part. He was making clean contact with the ball, exactly as he had before his thigh injury.
It’s difficult to get back into shape right away following a protracted injury layoff. However, word spread that KL Rahul was batting confidently throughout his sessions at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru, where he was receiving rehabilitation.
His ability to keep for the full 50 overs was the only concern due to a groin niggle he picked up while recuperating from the initial injury.
KL Rahul appeared at ease on Thursday, and he never got beat for the pace. Vikram Rathour, the batting coach, had to remind him of the risk because he was willing to not only take the bowlers on but was also going aerial, at times picking short deliveries from outside off over mid-wicket.
This danger increases especially against left-arm pacers because he can easily get a top edge when playing across the line. Then he quickly played one over the top.
Will KL Rahul play in IND vs PAK Asia Cup 2023 match?
India has been impatiently awaiting Rahul’s return. But now that he is here, KL Rahul finds himself in a precarious position where he might not make the starting lineup.
Even last week, when everyone was anticipating his arrival, when India touched down in Sri Lanka, this was not the situation.
Ishan Kishan, the other wicketkeeper on the team, had a chance to bat at No. 5 and seized it with both hands, blasting 82 against Pakistan to help India get back into the match in KL’s absence.
Ishan Kishan looked the part in the middle order because he was in good form on the Caribbean tour, where he struck three fifties in as many games.
KL Rahul would have returned to the starting XI if things had been normal since he was the first choice.
However, this is a club that is severely lacking in left-handers to prevent leg-spinners from tying up right-handers in the middle of the order.
Ishan Kishan has only played one innings at No. 5, but Rahul is a seasoned batsman, but given the circumstances, India is willing to wait and see who can provide them with the necessary balance.