KL Rahul returns for Asia Cup, but not likely to get his spot back straightaway | Cricket News

After joining the Asia Cup squad in Colombo, KL Rahul turned up for his first net session with the team on Thursday, and looked the part. He was striking the ball cleanly, just like he did before his thigh injury. To find form straight away after a lengthy injury lay-off is no easy thing. But throughout his sessions at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru, where he was undergoing rehabilitation, the word around was that he was batting fluently with his ability to keep for the full 50 overs being the lone concern because of a groin niggle he picked up while recovering from the original injury.
On Thursday, Rahul looked comfortable and not once was he beaten for pace. He was willing to not just take the bowlers on, but was also going aerial, at times picking short deliveries from outside off over mid-wicket, prompting batting coach Vikram Rathour to remind him of the risk, particularly against left-arm pacers where he can easily get a top edge when playing across the line. Soon after, he played one over the covers.
India have been waiting anxiously for Rahul’s comeback. But now that he is here, Rahul suddenly finds himself in a situation where he may not walk into the playing XI. It was not even the case when India landed on Sri Lankan shores last week, when everyone was waiting for his arrival. However, in his absence, the other wicketkeeper in the squad – Ishan Kishan, who got an opportunity to bat at No 5 – grabbed his opportunity with both hands, scoring 82 against Pakan that brought India back into the game.

Having been in good touch during the tour of the Caribbean, where he scored three fifties in as many matches, Kishan looked the part in the middle order.
“I mean it’s a good headache to have. Kishan played well recently, he plays well at the top. KL’s record in ODIs is brilliant. We have two good options. We can pick and choose between the two who will fight for a spot in the team,” chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar had said while naming India’s World Cup squad.
Under normal circumstances, being a first-choice, Rahul would have walked back into the XI. But this is a team handicapped in many ways and desperate for a left-hander in the mix so that leg-spinners don’t tie up right-handers in the middle order. Of course, Rahul is a proven batsman at No 5, and Kishan has batted only once at that position, but under the circumstances, India are prepared to wait and watch as to who will lend them the required balance.

the looks of it, India seem inclined towards continuing with Kishan for the time being, but it would be tempting to bring Rahul back, as in the last two years he has been their best batsman in the format.
Uncertainty
Just over a month ago, India were fretting over Rahul’s fitness. In a middle order that has looked shaky since the last World Cup, there has been a lot of merry-go-round with Rahul, originally an opener, being the lone constant. The numbers backed his case, as in his new avatar, he came across as a batsman who seamlessly fitted into the format while others around him were struggling to shift gears. That he even started to keep wickets increased his stocks, making him indispensable.Most Read
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In his absence, in every outing that the likes of Suryakumar Yadav and Sanju Samson had, there was no denying Rahul was missed. Be it consolidating the start given the top order or playing the finisher’s role, Rahul has been a different batsman in ODIs.

Of course, there is no right or wrong time to get injured, but to pick up a thigh injury six months before the World Cup and still get picked even before recovering fully says how much India have been waiting for his return.
Apart from averaging over 50 in the middle order, where he has scored six fifties and one century, Rahul has batted across situations and that experience will come handy in big-ticket events. At some point during the Asia Cup, India will give Rahul a chance so that he goes into the World Cup with some much-needed game time. Time will tell whether it comes on Sunday or he has to wait a little longer.