India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has provided an encouraging update on KL Rahul’s fitness after the opener was forced to retire hurt on 77 during Day 1 of the first Test against Sri Lanka at the Galle International Stadium on Saturday.
Rahul had played a composed innings at the top of the order before cramps and discomfort forced him to leave the field shortly after the tea break. The India vice-captain received medical attention on the field before walking back to the dressing room alongside the team physio.
SL vs IND, 1st Test: Day 1 Highlights | Scorecard
There were concerns over Rahul’s condition as he appeared to be struggling with cramps and physical discomfort. He was also seen experiencing discomfort in his right hand, with the Indian medical team assessing him after he retired hurt.
However, Kotak played down the concerns surrounding Rahul’s fitness and said the opener was feeling fine by the end of the day’s play. He also backed Rahul to return to the crease on Sunday and continue his innings.
“KL batted really well. I think he was getting only cramps. So by the end of the day, he was fine. Probably once you start getting cramps, you get it in the hamstring, you get it in the groin, you get it in your hand.But at the moment he looks absolutely fine. So he should be good to go tomorrow,” Kotak said in the post-day press conference.
But overall, Kotak was delighted to see the flexibility in Rahul’s game – batting down the order in white ball formats and opening in Test cricket.
“See, he is someone, when he plays in one-day (match) as if you have seen him, he bats at number 6 or 5. So when you are a senior batsman, and if you are open to bat at any number and help the team, I think that is a great player to have.
“So for a team, he is someone who is very useful. So in a red ball match he opens, in a one-day match he bats wherever required. Now, the way he is batting, he is taking a lot of responsibilities, he is trying to create a lot of partnerships, and that is something really good to have, and he has been very, very consistent,” he added.
Rahul was one of the key contributors to India’s strong start in Galle. He scored 77 off 162 balls, hitting nine fours and a six, and played the role of an anchor as India negotiated the early threat from Sri Lanka’s bowlers.
The experienced opener shared a 150-run partnership with Devdutt Padikkal, helping India recover after the early dismissal of Yashasvi Jaiswal. Rahul and Padikkal batted with patience and kept Sri Lanka’s bowlers at bay for a large part of the first two sessions.
Rahul eventually retired hurt with India on 138/1, bringing an end to an innings that had provided India with a solid platform. Padikkal continued to dominate after Rahul’s departure and went on to bring up his maiden Test century.
India finished the opening day on 288/2, firmly in control of the Test. Padikkal remained unbeaten on 131 off 178 balls, having struck 12 fours and a six, while Rishabh Pant was not out on 27 off 36 balls.
Padikkal’s century was the highlight of a day on which India made the most of winning the toss. The left-hander grew in confidence as the innings progressed and took the attack to the Sri Lankan bowlers in the post-tea session.
Sri Lanka had managed only two breakthroughs during the day. Jaiswal was run out for 32 in the first hour after a mix-up with Rahul, while captain Shubman Gill was dismissed for 16 by left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya.
Jayasuriya finally ended Gill’s stay at the crease in his 21st over after the India captain attempted a cheeky shot. But Sri Lanka could not build on that wicket as Padikkal and Pant kept the scoreboard moving through the final session.
The focus will now turn to Rahul when India resume their innings on Day 2. If he is fit to return as expected, he will have the opportunity to add to his 77 and continue the innings he was forced to leave unfinished on the opening day.
– Ends
