Rahul didn't keep wickets at practice on the eve of the
game, and stand-in captain Pooran just commented "We'll see how he
goes"
Lucknow Super Giants will take a late decision on KL. Rahul's partial or full participation in Tuesday's away game against Royal Challengers
Bengaluru. Rahul came on as an impact replacement in Saturday's home game
against the Punjab Kings, with the LSG management keen on "easing him back"
from injury.
Rahul's comeback event comes after a quadriceps injury forced him to miss the
final four Tests of a five-match series against England at home earlier this
year. Rahul suffered the same injury - against RCB, interestingly - during IPL
2023 and had to undergo surgery followed by extensive rehabilitation.
"We'll see how he goes at training," stand-in skipper Nicholas Pooran
said when questioned about Rahul's availability on Tuesday.
Rahul avoided completely keeping wickets during training. He first went through
a set of timed sprint and mobility workouts overseen by head coach Justin
Langer. Rahul then rehearsed his entire range of body movements, focusing on
the sweep, and again touched his left hamstring. He then took a quiet part of the
field and observed the practice for over an hour. Later, he thoroughly
observed the slightly unique M Chinnaswamy Stadium pitch, which had more than a
sprinkling of grass throughout the 22 yards.
Rahul also padded up and took on the team's net bowlers and
throwdown experts. After a 15-minute session, he returned to complete a
couple more rounds of mobility drills before walking away to have another
lengthy conversation with Langer.
"It's always difficult to change combinations," Pooran remarked when
asked how Rahul's absence on the field had affected the team so far.
"Obviously, things are different with KL on the field. But our veteran
players banded together and helped me make judgments as well. It happens. When
your captain isn't available, all the senior players step up and try to
compensate."
LSG has one win and one loss in two games, with Rahul
scoring 58 (in 44 balls) against Rajasthan Royals and 15 (in nine balls)
against Punjab Kings. He kept wickets just in the first game before turning
over to Quinton de Kock in the second.
Rahul is a contender for the wicketkeeper-batter position in India's T20 World
Cup squad.
Leading up to the IPL 2024 season, there was disagreement among analysts about
whether he would bat in the middle order, as he does for the national side. So
far, Rahul has started both matches.
"I am not going to lose one second's sleep over KL Rahul," Langer remarked about his usual captain last week. "He's a wonderful player and an exceptional player. There's a reason he's been so successful for India, and I consider myself fortunate to have him in our team, not only as an opening batsman or batsman and wicketkeeper but also as a captain. He is quite peaceful. "He is a wonderful person."
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