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Recent footage of KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer engaged in a practice match at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru has sparked optimism, particularly for Rahul, who has exhibited considerable progress in terms of match fitness. The video of the practice match quickly went viral, and now there are reports suggesting that Rahul's improvement could make him a viable option for India's middle-order batting and wicketkeeping duties in the absence of the injured Rishabh Pant for the upcoming ODI World Cup 2023.
Having undergone surgery earlier this year following an injury sustained during an IPL match, Rahul's rehabilitation journey has centered around achieving full fitness in time for the Asia Cup and the ODI World Cup.
According to sources, Rahul's recent performance in a match simulation at the NCA showcased impressive fitness levels as he simultaneously handled batting responsibilities and took on extended wicketkeeping duties. A source stated, "Rahul showed impressive fitness levels over the match simulation programme (at the NCA) while batting and doing the wicketkeeping duties for an extended period (today)."
The source further revealed, "He has started batting from earlier this week and has now added wicketkeeping as well."
Rahul's progress is a positive development for the Indian team management, as they grapple with the potential unavailability of Rishabh Pant. While Rahul's prospects look promising, there remain concerns regarding Shreyas Iyer's recovery timeline, as he continues to undergo match simulations to gauge his improvement. A decision on Iyer's readiness for the upcoming matches is expected to be taken in the near future.
KL Rahul has exhibited impressive batting averages of 40.17 and 53 while batting at no. 4 and no. 5, respectively. His last ODI appearance was in March this year. With India having experimented with players like Suryakumar Yadav and Sanju Samson at the crucial No. 4 position without significant success, attention has shifted to identifying the right candidate. Among the contenders is the young Tilak Varma, who has participated in just six T20Is but has garnered attention for his potential.
Anticipation is building as the Indian team for the Asia Cup is expected to be announced on Monday. The much-anticipated tournament will commence with India facing Pakistan on September 2, adding an extra layer of excitement to Rahul's potential return and India's performance on the field.
