KL Rahul injured ahead of the Boxing Day Test? Check details

Ahead of the Boxing Day Test, the fourth fixture of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, India appears to lack reliable batting options. Despite their 295-run victory in the Perth Test, the majority of the batting lineup has delivered underwhelming performances in the series. Players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and Virat Kohli have struggled to find form. Amid this faltering lineup, KL Rahul, not even confirmed in contention for the final XI at the start of the series, has emerged as the only consistent performer with the bat. However, recent updates suggest that Rahul sustained a blow to his arm while practicing in the nets.

Visuals from MCG ahead of Boxing Day Test show KL Rahul receiving treatment to his right arm

KL Rahul was spotted receiving treatment on his arm during a net session, raising fresh concerns for India ahead of the fourth Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. With the series evenly poised at 1-1 after three matches, the Boxing Day Test is crucial for both teams. Amidst the preps and the controversy brewed by the Australian media, a video circulating on social media shows Rahul getting some treatment. Appearing in full batting gear, holding a bat in one hand, the medical staff was seen attending to the batter's right arm. Luckily, despite the treatment, Rahul didn’t appear to be in significant discomfort, and there have been no indications that his availability for the match is in jeopardy.

KL Rahul suffered a hand injury at the MCG nets today during practice session. #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/XH8sPiG8Gi

— 𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐢𝐢⁴⁵ (@rushiii_12) December 21, 2024

Rahul has been one of India's standout performers in the series so far. Until Ravindra Jadeja joined the action, Rahul seemed like the sole anchor preventing the Indian batting order from collapsing. As the opening batter for this edition of the BGT, Rahul was the second-highest run-scorer for the team in the first innings of the second pink-ball Test.

In the third Test, he produced a resilient 84 off 139 balls under challenging conditions, including persistent rain delays. His efforts were crucial in helping India avoid a follow-on and eventually secure a hard-fought draw despite trailing Australia significantly after Day 2. Currently, Rahul is India's highest run-scorer down under after three matches, amassing 235 runs at an average of 47.00.