KL Rahul to play 1st BGT Test? Visuals from India’s net session gives clear picture

KL Rahul to play 1st BGT Test? Visuals from India’s net session gives clear picture

KL Rahul and Abhimanyu Easwaran are the possible candidates to replace Rohit Sharma at the opening slot in the first Test in Perth.

KL Rahul is being considered as a potential replacement for Rohit Sharma for the Perth Test. (Photo: X)

New Delhi: Team India started preparations for the high-octane Test series against Australia with an intense practice session at the Western Australian Cricket Association ground in Perth on Tuesday. The five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy will begin on November 22 at the iconic Optus Stadium in Perth.

The second batch of players boarded the flight for Australia on November 11, Monday a day after star batter Virat Kohli reached Down Under. The superstar batter was the first Indian player to arrive in Perth on Sunday, November 10.

Indian players were captured practising in the WACA nets on Tuesday. Forbes cricket journalist Tristan Lavalette shared a video on X (formerly Twitter) of opening batter Yashasvi Jaiswal and wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant hitting the nets.

A few hours later, he shared another video of India’s practice session which showed KL Rahul batting in the nets alongside Jaiswal. Rahul being one of the main batters to hit the nets is a clear signal of his participation in the first Test.

KL Rahul was one of the main batters to have a net in India’s training session today at the WACA pic.twitter.com/3MXVU0p8FH — Tristan Lavalette (@trislavalette) November 12, 2024

KL Rahul to play in first Test?

With skipper Rohit Sharma unlikely to play in the first Test due to personal reasons, India are looking for a replacement opener to partner Jaiswal. Bengal batter Abhimanyu Easwaran and Rahul are seen as possible candidates for the opening slot in Perth.

While Easwaran comes to Australia on the back of a prolific domestic season, Rahul is going through a horrendous run of form. Rahul was dropped from playing X1s of the last two Tests after twin failures in the Bengaluru Test against New Zealand.

He was given an opportunity to regain form in the second unofficial Test between India A and Australia A at the Melbourne Cricket Ground but failed to capitalise on the chance, getting dismissed cheaply in both innings.

However, Rahul’s international experience might help him pip Easwaran for the coveted spot in the Indian team.

In his pre-departure press conference, head coach Gautam Gambhir had hinted at Rahul’s inclusion in case of Rohit’s absence.

“There are times when you go with the experienced players as well, and that is the quality of a man that he (Rahul) can actually bat at the top of the order, he can bat at number 3 and he can actually bat at number 6 as well,” said Gambhir.

Now the video of Rahul’s intense batting session has given an even clearer picture about Indian team management’s plans.

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Sparsh Vyas Awestruck and inspired by sports since childhood, I was fortunate enough to earn a living by joining the sports media industry in 2007. It's been a rollercoaster of a ride ever since. Just like a Bollywood movie, my professional journey, which began 15 years ago, is filled with both happy and sad moments all along with unexpected twists. A cricket buff and football fanatic, I am one of those who love an underdog story. I have had working stints with some of the most prominent media organisations in the country including Zee Sports, Ten Sports, ESPN, NDTV. Read More

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