KL Rahul overcomes injury scare, returns to practice before Perth Test

In a positive for India, KL Rahul returned to the match simulation at WACA on Sunday, dashing injury concerns. The wicket-keeper batter, on Friday during the practice match, sustained a blow on his right elbow. The batter, visibly at unease due to the hit he took by the rising delivery of pacer Prasidh Krishna subsequently retired hurt. Rahul's injury posed a significant concern for the management, with the batter being piped to fill-in for Rohit Sharma if the skipper confirms his unavailability for the Perth Test. However, the concerns were fairly eased when the opening prospect joined the simulation on Sunday at WACA. Meanwhile, Shubman Gill is confirmed to sit out of the Perth Test, as the batter fractured his thumb during the practice session.

KL Rahul rises above elbow injury to return to practice ahead of Perth Test

Reportedly, KL Rahul came back from his elbow injury to join the match simulation on Sunday and resumed batting during an extended session at the WACA in Perth. His return to the ground would put the management at ease as Shubman Gill is ruled out of the opening BGT Test. The young batter fractured his thumb while fielding at the slip. Detailed report from India's practice session on Sunday informed that during Sunday’s training, Rahul went through an intense workout lasting nearly three hours. Spending about an hour batting on the WACA center wicket before heading to the nets, he showed no visible signs of discomfort. Although his fluency at the crease seemed slightly affected, it was a positive development for India ahead of the series opener.

With Gill's exit and no concrete update about the availability of Rohit Sharma, India’s top-order batting lineup is hanging in balance. Rohit Sharma welcomed his second child, a baby boy on November 15, Friday. While the skipper was seen practicing in Mumbai, it is not certain if he would be able to join the India squad in time for the Perth Test. Meanwhile, amidst all the haze, the BCCI has directed India A batter, Devdutt Padikkal to stay back in Australia as a backup batter for the Border Gavaskar Trophy. 

India wrapped up their six-day training program at the WACA, which included three days of net practice followed by three days of match simulation. Starting Tuesday, the team will continue their preparations at the Optus Stadium, where the first Test begins on November 22. Over the weekend, India’s training sessions were held behind closed doors due to logistical reasons, following earlier open sessions for the media. Meanwhile, Australia will commence their preparations for the Test series on Monday with a training session at the WACA.