KL Rahul’s career in the past year or so has been severely impacted by injuries. During IPL 2023, he ended up hurting his hamstring that meant he missed a majority of the season and the final of the ICC World Test Championship as well. He then made a roaring comeback during the Asia Cup last year with a century against Pakistan. He then regularly featured for India in Tests and ODIs including at the ODI World Cup.
Unfortunately, he ended up being unfit at the start of the England Test series at home earlier this year in January after having made 86 runs in Hyderabad before complaining of pain in his right quadriceps. The result was him missing the remainder of the series which India went on to win 4-1.
Rahul then made his competitive return in IPL 2024 where he led Lucknow Super Giants and his India comeback during the Sri Lanka tour in July-August. Recently, he featured in the first round of Duleep Trophy – a four-day red-ball competition that kickstarted India’s domestic season.
Now, it’s been reported that the 32-year-old will be given the preference ahead of young Sarfaraz Khan in India’s playing XI for the Chennai Test against Bangladesh starting September 19.
India captain Rohit Sharma has thrown his weight behind Rahul.
“There are handful of people in world cricket who had a smooth ride. Handful of cricketers had no issues all their life or if it was all good. Everyone has an up and down career. Best thing to do is to understand yourself, expectations from yourself and what’s needed for the team,” Rohit said during a media interaction on Tuesday.
Rahul has scored 2863 runs from 50 Tests at an average of 34.08 including eight centuries and 14 half-centuries. How highly he’s rated in the Indian cricket set up can be gauged from Rohit’s statement that the team wants him to play in every game.
“The kind of quality KL Rahul has, everybody knows. The message to him from our side was we want him to play all the game and bring the best out of him. It’s important to give him a clear message that what he need from him. He was done well since comeback – scored hundred against South Africa. Unfortunately got injured after Hyderabad, didn’t play afterwards. I hope he continues from where he left in Hyderabad,” Rohit said.
“I don’t see any reason why he can’t flourish in Test cricket. Opportunities are there. Important for him to understand how he wants to take his career forward,” he added.
