It’s been a tumultuous last two months, but the worst appears to be behind KL Rahul – at least for the time being.
Playing an international game for the first time since that ill-fated appearance on Koffee With Karan, the 26-year-old marked his return in style with a well-compiled half-century in India’s first T20I against Australia on Sunday, 24 February.
Rahul was drafted in as an opener in the Indian XI for the series-opener at Visakhapatnam, and he made the most of the opportunity with a 36-ball 50, laced with six fours and a six.
Rahul has been included in both the T20I and ODI squads for Australia’s limited overs tour of India, which is the Indian team’s final international assignment ahead of the ICC World Cup 2019 in England.
The top-order batsman, who had been devoid of runs on the tour to Australia prior to his temporary suspension after appearing on Koffee With Karan with Hardik Pandya, had been asked to find form in grade cricket and sent to play for India A upon the end of the suspension. Rahul found form in the ‘Tests’ against England Lions, hitting 81 and 89 on his two appearances at Wayanad and Mysuru.
That paved the way for a return into the Indian setup, which remains without a back-up opener as the countdown to the World Cup enters its final stretch. Rahul is expected to have the team management’s backing for a spot in the squad, but was in dire need of runs in top-level cricket to prove his credentials.
In line to get a sustained run in the XI for both the seven limited overs internationals against Australia, he began with a determined display at Vizag. After getting off the mark with two clipped boundaries down the leg side off Jhye Richardson in the second over, Rahul hit a few rasping shots through cover – and neared his 50 with a superb straight-driven six off Adam Zampa.
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