[In Pictures] KL Rahul struck on the wrist by a scorching Josh Hazlewood delivery during 3rd BGT 2024-25 Test
Team India's opening batter KL Rahul was welcomed at the crease by a Josh Hazlewood delivery that jumped off a length to hit him on the wrist. The right-handed player was in a great deal of pain and required assistance from the physios before he could resume his innings.
Opening the innings alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal for the third Test in a row, Rahul survived the first over by Mitchell Starc and was on strike for the second over to face Hazlewood from the other end. The very first ball by the returning pacer began with his traditional length delivery outside the off-stump, but it was the extra bounce that caught Rahul off guard.
The ball struck him on the wristband where there was no protection or padding. Rahul dropped his bat and looked in unease while trying to battle the pain. After a brief course of treatment by the medical staff, he resumed his innings. Have a look at the incident right here:
KL Rahul survived the remainder of the Hazlewood over, resulting in a maiden. The Australian pacer looks in good rhythm after missing the second Test in Adelaide due to an injury.
KL Rahul had copped a scathing blow to his elbow during match simulation ahead of the 1st BGT 2024-25 Test
The Karnataka batter was in doubt for a while for the Border-Gavaskar series opener in Perth after being hit on the elbow during a match simulation at the WACA, while playing against Australia 'A'.
“I took him for the x-ray and scan and, based upon the reporting, I was a lot more confident that he should be fine. It was just a matter of controlling the pain and giving him some confidence. From a medical point of view, he is absolutely fine," Team India physiotherapist Kamlesh Jain had said in a video released by BCCI (via India Today).
Rahul seems to have left the early blow behind him, playing with composure amid a serious crisis. The onus is on him to rescue the team again with his resilience after Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill departed without making an impression, leaving the team at 6-2 in the third over of India's first innings.
As of writing, KL Rahul is unbeaten on 12 runs off 23 deliveries while India are placed at 21-2 in the seventh over.