Injury Concerns for Rahul and Kohli Ahead of Australia Test Series

MELBOURNE: In a surprising turn of events during an intra-squad match in Perth, Indian opener KL Rahul was struck on the elbow by a fast delivery from his teammate Prasidh Krishna. This incident occurred at the WACA ground on Friday, just a week before the highly anticipated Test series against Australia. Rahul's injury raised concerns as he sought medical attention, leaving fans anxious about his fitness ahead of the series-opener at Perth Stadium.

Rahul is expected to open the batting alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal in the first Test, especially if captain Rohit Sharma is unable to play due to the imminent arrival of his second child. The situation has put additional pressure on the Indian team as they prepare for a challenging series against a formidable Australian side.

Meanwhile, Virat Kohli, another key player for India, took to the field despite facing injury concerns of his own. Reports indicate that Kohli underwent scans earlier this week for an undisclosed injury. However, he still managed to bat on Friday against a team made up of India A squad members and fringe players. This decision to play raises questions about his fitness and form, especially after his recent struggles against New Zealand.

Kohli's performance has been a significant topic of discussion leading up to the five-Test series. His recent outing against New Zealand saw him score only 93 runs at an average of 15.50, contributing to India's disappointing 3-0 whitewash. During the intra-squad match at the WACA, Kohli managed to score just 15 runs before being dismissed by seamer Mukesh Kumar, which adds to the mounting pressure on him to perform in Australia.

As India gears up for this crucial series, the decision to conduct an intra-team warm-up match instead of facing a local side reflects their commitment to honing their skills and strategies. The team is clearly focused on bouncing back from their recent setbacks and is determined to make a strong statement in Australia.

The upcoming Test series against Australia is set to be a litmus test for the Indian cricket team. With key players like Rahul and Kohli facing injury concerns, the team's depth and resilience will be put to the test. Fans will be eagerly watching to see how the team adapts and overcomes these challenges, hoping for a successful campaign down under.