Star wicketkeeper batter KL Rahul will join Team India ahead of the Super Four stage of the ongoing ODI Asia Cup 2023. Rahul, who has been on the sidelines since he suffered a thigh injury in May, suffered another injury last month that ruled him out of the group stage of the multi-national event.
However, Rahul’s return may cause problems rather than offer solutions. In the right-hander’s absence, another wicketkeeper-batsman, Ishan Kishan, has taken Rahul’s No. 5 spot and performed exceedingly well in the IND vs PAK encounter on September 2. Now that KL is making a return, questions over his match fitness and dropping an in-form Kishan will be asked.
Also Read: Kaif & Gambhir battle out as Ishan Kishan makes India return difficult for KL Rahul
KL Rahul’s performance in ODI cricket at the No. 5 spot has been astounding. Since he started batting at the spot, he has averaged 53.00 at the spot in 18 innings. The Karnataka batter also has eight 50+ scores at the position, making fifty or more runs in every second inning he plays.
| Position | Innings | Runs | Highest Score | Average | Strike Rate | 100s | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 18 | 742 | 112 | 53.00 | 99.33 | 1 | 7 |
KL Rahul Injury Timeline
- November 2021 – Thigh Strain: KL Rahul was ruled out of the two-match Test series against New Zealand in November due to a left thigh strain.
- February 2021 – Hamstring: KL Rahul missed the T20 series against West Indies after suffering a left hamstring injury.
- February 2021 – Hamstring: He failed to recover in time and missed the T20 against Sri Lanka.
- March 2021 – Hamstring: The hamstring injury also ruled him out of the Test series against Sri Lanka.
- January 2021 – Wrist: KL Rahul missed the Test series in Australia after suffering a wrist injury during practice.
- June 2022 – Groin: KL Rahul missed the South Africa series and England tour with a persistent groin injury.
- May 2023 – Thigh: Rahul missed IPL 2023, World Test Championship Final 2023 and India tour of West Indies after suffering an injury on May 1.
- July 2023: On track to recovery, starts batting and keeping practice at the NCA.
- August 2023: KL Rahul faces a setback in recovery and fails a fitness test. His setback is termed as niggle. But he makes it to the Asia Cup 2023 squad. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar claims he is doubtful for the first two games of Asia Cup.
- September 2023: Returns to Team India XI for IND vs PAK Asia Cup 2023 Super 4 clash.
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