KL Rahul has reached England [Source: @Kunal_KLR/x.com]
KL Rahul has landed in England for some good old red-ball grind. With Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma now out of the Test picture, Rahul finds himself one of the most experienced batters in India’s revamped setup and he is wasting no time getting his eye in.
KL Rahul Makes A Bold Statement With Early Arrival In England
The stylish right-hander made headlines after requesting the BCCI to include him in the India A squad for the second unofficial Test match against the England Lions. And well, the board said yes.
Rahul flew out on Monday, and the pictures of him heading to Heathrow have already done the rounds online, sparking buzz among fans hungry to see him back in whites.
According to sources, KL Rahul will turn out for India A in the second four-day unofficial Test starting June 6 at the County Ground in Northampton. This move is all about one thing: getting valuable match practice before the big five-Test series kicks off. This is a smart move from a seasoned pro who knows what it takes to shine in English conditions.
In the absence of India’s longtime pillars Kohli and Rohit, this tour has a fresh look with new faces. And while Shubman Gill has taken over the reins as India's Test captain, Rahul’s presence brings calmness, experience and a much-needed buffer to a side still finding its rhythm.
The selectors may have gone with youth at the top but Rahul is clearly in the frame, looking to keep himself battle-ready and in contention for that middle-order slot when the real action begins at Headingley.
Gill Era To Begin With Intra-Squad Game
While Rahul sharpens his skills against England Lions, the rest of the Indian squad, led by Gill and coached by Gautam Gambhir, will only get their first taste of match practice during an intra-squad four-day game in Beckenham starting June 16. Notably, Gill is also expected to face the media before the team’s departure, alongside Gambhir.
Gill’s elevation as India’s 37th Test captain has already made waves and with Jasprit Bumrah, Rishabh Pant and Rahul overlooked for the role, there is more than a little curiosity about how things will unfold in this new era.