The Indian cricket squad went through a grueling match simulation exercise at the Western Australia Cricket Association (WACA) field in Perth on Friday, with KL Rahul and Sarfaraz Khan experiencing injury concerns and star batsman Virat Kohli undergoing some medical scans.
Prior to the first of the five Test matches for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which starts on November 22 at the Optus Stadium in Perth, the Indian team is rehearsing at the WACA venue.
Concerns were raised when Rahul and Sarfaraz Khan, who are vying for a spot in the Indian middle order with Dhruv Jurel, were struck in the elbow, preventing the batters from finishing their simulation session. If Indian skipper Rohit Sharma is unable to participate in the first Test match, Rahul may potentially be considered for the position of opener.
The former Indian captain continued to participate in the match simulation despite being rushed to the hospital for some medical scans and guidance, and the Delhi-based Kohli seemed to be in no pain at all during the session.
Prior to a ball from bowler Prasidh Krishna striking his right elbow, Rahul had scored 29. Rahul called the team’s physio right away and left without carrying on with his match simulation.
The 32-year-old was left out of India’s starting lineup for the Test matches against New Zealand in Pune and Mumbai.
Rahul is going through a slump, much like Kohli. He has only scored twice over 50 in the previous nine Test innings, and his last century was against South Africa in Centurion about 11 months ago.
Sarfaraz was struck in the right elbow on Friday as he was hitting in the nets. In a footage released by Fox Sports Australia, Sarfaraz was seen leaving the nets while gripping his right elbow and seemed to be in discomfort.
Sarfaraz has amassed 371 runs at an average of 37.10 in six Test matches for India. Sarfaraz achieved three scores of fifty or more runs and one hundred, with a high of 150 against New Zealand, in six Test matches.
It will be Sarfaraz’s first Test match outside of India if he is included in the starting lineup.
