KL Rahul’s return to nets boosts India’s morale ahead of BGT opener in Perth

KL Rahul returned to the nets on Sunday (Nov 17), boosting Team India’s morale ahead of the first Test against Australia in Perth starting November 22. Rahul suffered a blow to his right elbow in the WACA simulation game, missing all action since, including Saturday’s training session, which raised doubts about his participation in the first Test. He, however, put all speculations to rest with his return to the training session.

As reported by the Times of India, Rahul batted on the centre wicket for over an hour, facing Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj in the mandatory training session for the BGT-bound squad. He then had a net session with new and old balls.

Rahul’s return to action boosted the visiting camp’s morale, which could be without their star batter, Shubman Gill, for the Perth Test due to a broken thumb. 

In the absence of regular skipper Rohit Sharma, who is in India with his family after the birth of his second child and is likely to miss the first of the five Tests, India was rocked by Gill’s injury, adding salt to the injury. 

With these two unlikely to remain available for the Perth Test, Team India would have KL Rahul open alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal. If Rahul had also been out of contention, the travelling side had domestic giant and uncapped opener Abhimanyu Easwaran waiting in the ranks. 

However, with Rahul returning to the nets, he will play the first Test, with Team India seeking options out of the 18-man squad to pick someone to play at number three.

Though none of the squad members play at that position in red-ball cricket at all levels, India could surprise the Aussies with a new name for the BGT opener.

In another case, India could hand Easwaran his debut Test cap, asking him to open with Jaiswal and Rahul coming in at three – one of the positions he is comfortable batting at, as echoed by head coach Gautam Gambhir earlier.

Meanwhile, several reports from Australia claimed that the BCCI selectors have asked one of India-A batters, Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal, to stay back Down Under as cover should India run out of options in the top order. 

India will begin the marquee series at the Optus Stadium in Perth, with the remaining matches scheduled at the Adelaide Oval in Adelaide (day and night Test), Gabba in Brisbane, MCG in Melbourne and SCG in Sydney, respectively. 

Besides, for India to qualify for the WTC Final 2025, they must beat the Oz 4-0 or better to cruise ahead directly; otherwise, they would rely on others' results to qualify.