AUS vs IND: KL Rahul returns to practice session after being hit on elbow

Ahead of the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2025, to be played at the Optus Stadium in Perth, the Indian team have remained embroiled in injury scares. First, Sarfaraz Khan and KL Rahul were hit in the elbow during the practice session at the WACA Stadium. Later, Shubman Gill fractured his finger and his return to the first Test seems doubtful.

Amidst the concerns, respite for India in the form of Rahul returning to the practice session on November 17. Rahul was hit on the elbow by a rising delivery from Prasidh Krishna during India's intra-squad match on November 15. He left the ground after medical attention by the physio. But the wicketkeeper-batter nearly three hours of workout during India's training session on Sunday morning.

The Karnataka batter opened the innings with Yashasvi Jaiswal during India's intra-squad match simulation. As the batter returned to the practice session after a blow on the elbow, he did not look in discomfort but looked out of his usual flow. With Gill potentially out of the first Test due to a fracture, Rahul’s fitness comeback has certainly boosted the morale of the team ahead of the curtain-raiser.

 I hope Rohit Sharma goes very soon: Ganguly

India captain, Rohit Sharma who is still in India is yet to be back in the team. Rohit and his wife Ritika Sajdeh welcomed their second child and the India openers had sought permission for BCCI to be available for his family. Although there is no update on the 37-year-old’s availability for the first Test, the former India skipper, Sourav Ganguly, was expecting the right-handed batter to be available for the series opener.

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"I hope Rohit Sharma goes very soon, because the team needs leadership. I believe his wife delivered a baby boy yesterday [Friday] night so I am sure he can leave. He can leave as early as possible and if I was in his position, he should be playing the Perth Test," Ganguly said as quoted by TOI.