'Ready to go' KL Rahul bats and keeps wickets for long period at NCA

KL Rahul indicated the desire to return to international cricket by batting and wicket-keeping for an extended period during Friday's match simulation at the NCA, providing India a boost ahead of the Asia Cup and the ODI World Cup.
In this scenario, Rahul will very probably travel to Sri Lanka for the Asia Cup, and the India team will be announced on August 21.

"(KL) Rahul demonstrated exceptional fitness levels throughout the match simulation programme (at the NCA) while batting and doing wicketkeeping duties for a lengthy period of time (today).

"He began batting earlier this week and has since added wicketkeeping," a source close to the situation told PTI.

While Rahul's return to first-class cricket appears imminent, Shreyas Iyer, who has also been rehabbing at the NCA, may have to wait even longer.

Shreyas has also been working on his fitness at the NCA, and the middle-order batsman has made great development.

However, a final decision on Shreyas may not be made for some days.
Rahul's return will save the Indian team management a lot of stress because they will be able to secure one of the middle order slots.

In one-day internationals, Rahul has an excellent record at No. 4, amassing 241 runs from 7 innings at an average of 40.17 and hitting a century.

Rahul has 742 runs, including a century and seven fifties, from 18 innings at an average of 53.

In Rahul's absence, the Indian think tank attempted Suryakumar Yadav and Sanju Samson in the middle order, but neither performed consistently.

Rahul played his final One-Day International for India on March 22 against Australia in Chennai.
He was ruled out of the IPL 2023 after suffering a thigh injury during the match between Lucknow Super Giants and Royal Challengers Bangalore. He then had surgery before commencing the rehabilitation procedure.