New Delhi: Senior Indian players KL Rahul and Virat Kohli are reportedly said to have faced injury concerns just a week before the commencement of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. During India’s intra-squad match at the Western Australian Cricket Association (WACA) on Friday, Rahul opened the innings with Yashasvi Jaiswal.
According to a report by The Sydney Morning Herald, the Karnataka-born batter was hit on his right elbow. Though he attempted to resume batting by shaking the elbow, the player eventually walked off the field along with the team physio, as observed by India-born Australian cricket journalist Bharat Sundaresan.
KL Rahul’s not looking very comfortable after being struck on his right elbow/forearm off a rising delivery. Tried to resume batting by shaking it off but clearly couldn’t. And now leaving with the physio #AusvInd pic.twitter.com/JFivRNx7af
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) November 15, 2024
The Sydney Morning Herald report also mentioned that former India captain Virat Kohli has undergone scans on a mystery injury. There is no clarity on the level of the injury and its kind, but a source close to the development confirmed to the Australian newspaper that the 36-year-old Kohli went through scans.
However, the Indian middle-order batter showed for the intra-squad match on Friday. If the injury concerns for both Rahul and Kohli aggravate further then India will stare at the abyss before the series opener, with regular skipper Rohit Sharma’s participation is already in doubt owing to personal reasons.
How KL Rahul, Virat Kohli’s absence could hurt India
Rahul was dubbed to be an alternative to replace Rohit as the opening partner of Yashasvi Jaiswal for the Perth Test, with Bengal cricketer Abhimanyu Easwaran being a worthy contender for the spot. Kohli has played the most Test matches (13) in Australia from the current 18-member India Test squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
He is known to dominate the Australian bowlers in their own backyard, having scored 1352 runs in 25 innings at an average of 54.08 with the help of six centuries. His absence could create a huge void in the middle-order for the tourists given the youngsters like Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel and Nitish Kumar Reddy will be playing their first Test series in Australia. Shubman Gill, who will be India’s No.3 batter, has only played three matches in Australia on the previous tour.
Senior Indian players KL Rahul and Virat Kohli are reportedly said to have faced injury concerns just a week before the commencement of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
