Dravid mentioned Rahul has been “progressing rather well”, however will not be prepared in time for the group-stage fixtures towards Pakistan (September 2) and Nepal (September 4), each of which will probably be performed in Pallekele.
“KL has had an excellent week right here with us. Skilled effectively and performed plenty of issues. He is progressing rather well on the route that we wish to take. However he will probably be unavailable for the Kandy leg of the journey,” Dravid mentioned at India’s pre-departure press interplay in Bengaluru. “The NCA will probably be taking care of him for the following few days whereas we’re travelling. We’ll reassess on the 4th (September) and take it from there. However indicators are wanting good and he is progressing rather well.”
When the squad for the Asia Cup was named, Rahul was solely deemed conditionally match. Whereas he had absolutely recovered from the thigh damage he sustained throughout IPL 2023, for which he underwent surgical procedure adopted by a complete rehabilitation on the NCA, Rahul was understood to have picked up a minor niggle that made him a uncertain starter for at the least the primary two Asia Cup video games. This was confirmed by chief selector Ajit Agarkar on the press convention to announce the squad final week.
Rahul had a protracted batting stint on Tuesday, the ultimate day of India’s six-day conditioning camp in Alur.
Rahul batted for near 35 minutes after starting his day with some gentle warm-up drills.
Rahul began towards spin, presumably due to his function at No. 5 and appeared in glowing kind. He used his ft effectively in stepping out to hit legspinner Mayank Markande towards the flip, used the depth of the crease to nudge deliveries after which appeared to deliver out full blooded sweeps towards the 2 left arm spinners R Sai Kishore and Manav Suthar.
Rahul then confronted up towards Jasprit Bumrah and Prasidh Krishna within the second internet, towards the brand new ball. Rahul’s focus gave the impression to be on aligning himself to the bounce, getting behind the road and taking part in straight or utilizing the tempo to steer the ball behind.
Then lastly, he was on the throw down specialists internet, seemingly to try to duck and get into good positions towards the brief ball.
After the session, Rahul had a chat with coach Dravid and Virat Kohli to complete off.
Over the previous couple of days, whereas Rahul hasn’t been in any bodily discomfort the staff administration has rigorously ensured his wicket holding drills have not been too exhausting.
On Monday, he went by way of holding drills that centered on sideways actions, particularly to spin. Nonetheless it was all too temporary, to assist him ease in.
He was additionally seen chatting with Rishabh Pant, who spent a while doing his rehab and health drills with the staff.
India have Ishan Kishan as a wicketkeeping possibility within the squad, whereas Sanju Samson has been named as a travelling reserve.
Extra to observe…
Shashank Kishore is a senior sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo
