KL Rahul rejoined the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) team Wednesday, March 20, as preparations began for IPL 2024. He hadn’t played since the first India-England Test in Hyderabad earlier this year. His 86 runs in that match’s opening innings proved crucial. But an injury forced him out of the four remaining Tests.
Despite impressing with India’s middle-order batting, KL Rahul’s fitness woes continued after the Hyderabad match. He joins LSG after being sidelined for weeks, eager to get back on the field. The dependable opener will aim to guide his franchise with consistent performances this IPL.
The LSG skipper recently finished his rehabilitation at the NCA, which cleared him to play in the IPL. The Lucknow franchise resorted to their official X feed and released a video to offer fans a peek of the arrival of KL Rahul at their camp.
The franchise documented their captain’s journey from an injury in the second part of IPL 2023 to his spectacular recovery in ODI and Test cricket. KL Rahul also performed his signature hands-on-the-ear celebration after reaching the camp.
Watch the video below:
MSK Prasad Predicts a Transformed KL Rahul for the Upcoming IPL 2024 Season
Former Team India top selector MSK Prasad is excited to see how KL Rahul will perform as a leader and player under new head coach Justin Langer.
Prasad believes Rahul limits himself at times and believes Langer will let the wicketkeeper-batsman to play more freely in the IPL 2024.
At a news conference hosted by Star Sports, MSK Prasad stated:
“What is going to be the biggest gaining factor is how he (Langer) is going to mould KL Rahul. Or, in fact, they have been in touch with each other for the last 3 months, talking on a day-to-day basis. Rahul has also been a vice-captain of India, has also led the Indian team, but at times he holds himself back a bit. So, probably, with Justin Langer coming into the LSG side, we’ll see a different KL Rahul in the upcoming season.”
MSK Prasad
Elaborating on his stance, MSK Prasad added:
“Hopefully even Team India is going to benefit. He is definitely a very good wicket-keeper. 6-7 months after the injury, he comes into the World Cup and the impact he created there with the bat and gloves speaks volumes about him. Rahul is an introvert sort of person. He doesn’t really express himself outside, but I hope Langer’s influence will get the best out of him. Hopefully, we will unearth a new captain in KL for the future.”
MSK Prasad