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The waiting game continues for KL Rahul, who has been away from cricket for over two months now. The Team India opening batter is in line to make a return to the national set-up after an agonising period that was marred by injury, surgery and COVID-19. Rahul was named as the vice-captain of India for the upcoming Asia Cup, which is scheduled to be played between August 27 and September 11 in the UAE.
According a PTI report, the Lucknow Super Giants' skipper would have to pass a fitness test at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in order to solidify his return.
The Karnataka batter hasn't played competitive cricket since the Indian Premier League (IPL 2022) season. Rahul, who has led the national side in one Test match (versus South Africa), was in line to make his T20I captaincy debut against South Africa at home but after sustaining a devastating injury on the eve of the first game, the 30-year-old was sidelined.
Later, Rahul underwent a surgery for sports hernia in Germany and was gaining speed to return to international cricket during India's tour of West Indies. But this time it was the dreaded COVID-19 which prolonged Rahul's time away from the sport.
Injury, surgery and Covid-19 has cost Rahul several matches this year, including the postponed one-off Test match between India and England at Edgbaston, Birmingham.
The elegant right-handed batter was in imperious nick during the 15th edition of the cash-rich tournament. Rahul ended the competition with 616 runs (second-most after Jos Buttler's tally of 863 runs) in 15 matches with the help of four half-centuries and two tons.
Thus, the Indian team management and fans would be rooting for Rahul to not just pass the fitness test but also regain his best form as he will play a pivotal role in India's quest for second ICC T20I title in Australia later in the year.
