In this scenario, Rahul will almost certainly travel to Sri Lanka for the Asia Cup, and the India team for the tournament will be selected on August 21.
“(KL) 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).
“He has started batting from earlier this week and has now added wicketkeeping as well,” a source close to the development told PTI.
While Rahul’s return to top-flight cricket appears close, Shreyas Iyer, who has also been rehabilitating at the NCA, may have to wait a little longer.
Shreyas has also been undergoing match simulation at the NCA, and the middle-order batsman has shown significant progress in fitness.
However, a definitive decision on Shreyas could only be made in the coming days.
The return of Rahul will save the Indian team management a lot of headaches because they will be able to secure one slot in the middle order.
Rahul has a strong record at No. 4 in ODIs, scoring 241 runs from 7 innings at an average of 40.17 and scoring a century.
Rahul has 742 runs, including a hundred and 7 fifties, from 18 innings at an average of 53 from the No. 5 position.
In Rahul’s absence, the Indian think tank tried Suryakumar Yadav and Sanju Samson in the middle order, but neither could deliver consistent performances.
Rahul played his last ODI for India on March 22 against Australia in Chennai.
He was ruled out of the IPL 2023 after suffering a thigh injury during Lucknow Super Giants’ match against Royal Challengers Bangalore. He afterwards underwent surgery before beginning the rehabilitation process.
(With inputs from PTI)
