India Coach Provides Massive Update On KL Rahul's Injury

KL Rahul struggling with injury [Source: X]

In a massive recent development, the BCCI and the Indian team management have shared an update on KL Rahul's injury after the end of the day's play in Galle. Rahul, who was injured while playing the first Test between India and Sri Lanka on Day 1, had to leave the field midway after retiring hurt on the third ball of the first over bowled after tea.

After KL Rahul's injury, the physios immediately entered the field and asked him to return to the pavilion after conducting a brief assessment. However, India's batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has now shared an update on his fitness and injury.

Will KL Rahul Play India vs Sri Lanka Test?

Fortunately, India's batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has shared that Rahul is fit and fine and will continue to bat in the first innings itself. Notably, Rahul was also seen at the pavilion, sitting and watching the game alongside India's skipper Shubman Gill, while Rishabh Pant and centurion Devdutt Padikkal were at the crease, smashing the Sri Lankan bowlers.

Rahul was struggling to walk while making his way towards the pavilion and limped off the ground. However, Sitanshu Kotak's positive statement suggested that he is fit to play again and that the injury was merely a minor niggle, rather than anything serious or severe.

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For the unaware, Rahul appeared to be struggling with an issue involving a finger on his right hand, along with severe cramps in his legs. However, this was reportedly a temporary issue, and after being assessed by the medical team and physios, KL Rahul has been cleared to bat during the first innings itself.

What If KL Rahul Is Unable to Play the 1st Test?

Rahul, who was retired hurt after scoring a valiant 77 off 162 balls while opening alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal, could potentially have returned to the field on Day 1 itself if he had recovered from the injury. However, as Rahul was unable to return to the game, he is currently recorded as retired hurt in the first innings.

Now, although Rahul has been declared fit to play, there is no certainty when he will return. In that scenario, India's innings will end after the fall of the ninth wicket, with Rahul remaining unavailable to bat. The same rule would apply in the second innings if he continues to be unavailable to take the field.

As per the Laws of Cricket, a batter who is retired hurt cannot simply be replaced by another batter to continue their innings. While a team can use a substitute fielder while fielding, the substitute is not permitted to bat or bowl in place of the injured player.

Hence, KL Rahul's fitness currently remains crucial for Team India, who are looking to build a big total after reaching 288 runs for the loss of two wickets against Sri Lanka and Pant and Padikkal to continue batting on Day 2.

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