KL Rahul, a Team India batter, was recently sighted at Mumbai’s airport. He last played cricket in January 2024, during the first Test against England in Hyderabad.
KL Rahul was subsequently forced to withdraw from the second Test in Vizag owing to soreness in his right quad. The veteran cricketer visited the NCA for rehabilitation and is expected to return to play for the third Test.
Photographer Viral Bhayani shared a new sneak peek of Rahul on Instagram. The video shows Rahul at the Mumbai airport, happily taking photos with fans.
Watch the video below:
From December’s South Africa trip, Rahul has been a mid-order batter in Test matches. His performance shines, with a remarkable century in South Africa, and an 86-run score in England’s first Test game.
In his absence, Rajat Patidar had the opportunity to make his Test debut in Vizag. Rahul would most likely regain his place in the playing XI for the Rajkot Test.
Pragyan Ojha confident of KL Rahul and Virat Kohli’s place in India’s XI after comeback
Virat Kohli was absent for the first two England Tests because of personal matters. His return for the final three games is still unknown.
Former Indian spinner Pragyan Ojha believes Shreyas Iyer and Rajat Patidar may need to make way if Virat Kohli and KL Rahul return for the third Test in Rajkot. During a conversation on Colors Cineplex regarding playing XI for the next test, Ojha stated:
“Shreyas Iyer was left slightly behind. When you talk about great batters like Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul has also scored runs, when they return, they will automatically be part of the XI. So probably Shreyas Iyer and Rajat Patidar will have to make way because the situation is like that.”
Pragyan Ojha
Pragyan Ojha added:
“It’s not that you don’t want to give opportunities but when great batters are coming and you don’t have that much room, you cannot give them the cushion. So go back and score runs in domestic cricket.”
Pragyan Ojha
According to ESPNCricinfo, Virat Kohli might not be present for the third and fourth Test.