KL Rahul’s return to the crease during India’s training session at the WACA on Sunday has injected a surge of optimism into the Indian camp, ahead of the highly anticipated first Test against Australia in Perth. Rahul, who had been struggling with a recent elbow injury, looked to have fully recovered after undergoing scans and a couple of days of rest, showing no signs of discomfort as he batted for an hour in the nets.
The news comes as a huge relief for India, who are already dealing with injuries to key players. Shubman Gill, one of the team’s top performers, has been ruled out of the Perth Test after suffering a thumb injury during a practice match on Friday. Adding to India’s woes, Rohit Sharma will also miss the first Test due to the birth of his second child, leaving the team with significant gaps in its top order.
Rahul’s Return to Fitness
KL Rahul’s fitness had been a point of concern when he was struck on the elbow by a rising delivery from Prasidh Krishna during an intra-squad simulation match. The impact visibly left Rahul grimacing, and he was forced to leave the field early, casting doubts over his availability for the first Test. However, the 32-year-old has made a swift recovery, and his performance in the Sunday session, which lasted nearly three hours, showcased his readiness for the challenges ahead.
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Rahul was seen batting on the WACA center wicket before stepping into the nets for a quick session. “I’m feeling good and I’ve batted today,” Rahul said after the session. “I was happy that I could come here early, get some time to get used to the conditions. I’ve got a lot of time preparing for the series and I’m excited and looking forward to it.”
Physiotherapist Yogesh Parmar, who accompanied Rahul for the medical scans, confirmed that there was no long-term damage. “It was just a matter of controlling the pain and him getting some confidence. From a medical point of view, he is fine,” Parmar reassured fans through a post on X (formerly Twitter).
Shuffling the Batting Order
Rahul’s fitness could be a key factor in determining India’s batting lineup for the Test, particularly given the absences of Gill and Rohit. Reports suggest that Rahul could open the innings in place of Rohit, with the latter expected to join the squad later in the series. This would provide Rahul an opportunity to slot into the top order alongside young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir also weighed in, stating that Rahul’s experience in the Australian conditions could make him the ideal candidate to step into the opening role if needed. “Rahul is an experienced campaigner in these conditions, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he steps up to the challenge and opens alongside Jaiswal,” Gambhir commented.
Gill’s Injury and the Road Ahead
Gill’s injury, which occurred while fielding in the slips during Friday’s match simulation, further complicates India’s preparations. Despite scoring 28 and an unbeaten 42 earlier in the practice match, the thumb injury has ruled him out of contention for the first Test. The exact timeline for his recovery is unclear, but with Gill sidelined, India will need to shuffle their batting order to cover the loss of a key run-scorer.
With the injury-plagued lead-up to the series, much rests on the shoulders of experienced players like Virat Kohli, who has been in solid form in the build-up. Kohli, who made scores of 15 and 30 not out in the intra-squad match simulation, has looked comfortable in the nets, though he did have some struggles against the short-pitched deliveries that are often a feature of Perth’s fast and bouncy wicket.
Indian Bowling Unit Ready for the Challenge
India’s bowling unit, led by vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah, has also been in fine form. Bumrah was among those who took part in the match simulation on day two, with the Indian bowlers applying intense pressure on the opposition batters. Bumrah, along with fellow pacers Mohammad Shami, Umesh Yadav, and Mohammed Siraj, will form the backbone of India’s attack as they look to counter Australia’s formidable batting lineup.
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The Road to the Test
India’s training camp at the WACA is now complete, with the squad set to shift their focus to the Optus Stadium from Tuesday onwards. The first Test will begin on November 22, and with the added pressure of key players unavailable, India will be hoping that Rahul’s return to full fitness can provide the necessary boost to their batting lineup.
Australia, meanwhile, will start their preparations with a training session at the WACA on Monday. Both teams will be gearing up for what promises to be a thrilling Border-Gavaskar Trophy, as India seeks to defend their title on Australian soil.