Rahul return a boost but Gill misses practice on mixed day for India in their match simulation here at WACA.
Rahul return in a mixed day was a boost for India ahead of the opening test at Perth.
KL Rahul dismissed injury worries when he resumed batting during the team’s training session on Sunday at the WACA in Perth, which was a boost for India in the face of uncertainty surrounding Shubman Gill’s fitness.
In Friday’s intra-squad match simulation, Rahul was hit on the elbow by a rising delivery from Prasidh Krishna and had to leave the pitch early. He grimaced after the blow and trudged off the ground after getting help. Later that day, when India’s top batsmen took their turn at the crease, Rahul did not come back.
However, India’s training session on Sunday morning, which lasted almost three hours, gave Rahul a good workout. Some members of the squad practiced on the WACA centre wicket and nets following two days of match simulation, which essentially pitted India’s starting lineup against a lineup made up of fringe or India A players.
Rahul hit the ground for around an hour before working out briefly at the nets. When Rahul opened the innings with Yashasvi Jaiswal during the match simulation, he did not appear as fluid as he had before his blow, but there were no indications of discomfort.
Given that Gill’s availability appears questionable following his injury to his left thumb on the second day of India’s intra-squad training match, Rahul’s improved fitness state is encouraging. Rohit Sharma and his wife Ritika Sajdeh welcomed their second child on Friday, but it is still unclear where he will be in the batting order and whether he will make it to Perth in time for the first Test.