[In Pictures] KL Rahul walks off the field after being struck on the elbow during match simulation at the WACA
Team India have been handed an early injury scare after KL Rahul was struck on his right elbow during a match simulation against India A at the WACA in Perth on Friday, November 15. He had opened the innings with Yashasvi Jaiswal in Rohit Sharma's absence but walked off the field despite trying to continue after the blow, according to the reporters covering the intra-squad clash.
Rahul was one of the first members of the main squad to land in Australia along with Dhruv Jurel. The duo was named in the India A team for the second unofficial Test against Australia A at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Playing at the top of the order, Rahul recorded two poor outings, including a bizarre dismissal in the second innings against spinner Corey Rocchicciol.
With Rohit Sharma's absence for the first Test looking more likely with each passing day, KL Rahul is in contention to open the innings. Abhimanyu Easwaran is also a genuine candidate to fill the void at the top of the order.
The visitors had to deal with a scare in the net sessions on Thursday, November 14, when Sarfaraz Khan was hit on the elbow. However, the blow was not deemed to be serious.
But the severity of Rahul's injury is yet to be known. It is unclear whether he will return to bat or be rested as a precaution.
India's top order has been skittled in the early stages of the simulation. Yashasvi Jaiswal recorded 15 runs before his dismissal while Virat Kohli edged one to second slip off Mukesh Kumar's bowling after playing a couple of assuring cover drives.
KL Rahul has scored 187 runs in nine innings in Australia so far
KL Rahul's international career began in Australia where he recorded a duck and a ton on his maiden tour. While the right-handed batter has gone on to impress in difficult overseas conditions like England and South Africa, he has had a tough time in Australia. He has scored 187 runs in nine innings Down Under.
During the 2018-19 tour, Rahul reached double figures only once out of five innings. He was particularly troubled by Josh Hazlewood on that tour, after being dismissed by the right-arm pacer four times.