KL Rahul will bat at No. 3 on Ranji Trophy return, confirms Karnataka coach

KL Rahul will proceed to bat on the prime of the order in red-ball cricket. The star batter, set to return to the Ranji Trophy for Karnataka’s closing round-robin group recreation towards Haryana on Thursday, will bat at No. 3 for his state aspect, in keeping with coach Yere Goud. Talking on the eve of the sport on the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Goud confirmed Rahul’s batting place whereas holding choices open primarily based on circumstances.

Rahul is making his return to the Ranji Trophy for the primary time because the 2019-20 season. The India batter had missed the earlier spherical of the event as a result of harm, whilst a number of of his Take a look at teammates—together with Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill, and Ravindra Jadeja—rejoined home cricket following BCCI’s strict tips.

Rahul’s inclusion is a big enhance for Karnataka, who’re aiming for a spot within the quarter-finals of the celebrated event. The crew may also profit from the return of quick bowler Vidwath Kaverappa, who has recovered from an harm setback.

“He brings a number of expertise and provides immense worth to the crew in all features of the sport. We’ll assess the circumstances and determine the batting order accordingly,” Goud advised PTI. “However Rahul is prone to bat at quantity 3,” he added.

On the eve of the match, Rahul skilled for 40 minutes in Bengaluru, showcasing his wide selection of strokes and showing comfortable, in keeping with PTI.

The Indian batter has struggled to safe a everlasting spot within the Take a look at batting order. Initially picked for a middle-order function in final 12 months’s Take a look at collection towards Australia, Rahul was compelled to open in Rohit Sharma’s absence. After a formidable efficiency within the collection opener in Perth, he continued as an opener all through the collection, aside from the fourth Take a look at in Melbourne. Nonetheless, regardless of a promising begin, he completed the collection with 276 runs in 5 Assessments, failing to capitalise on his alternatives.

Now, along with his return to first-class cricket, Rahul might be desirous to make a robust impression within the Ranji Trophy fixture earlier than shifting focus to limited-overs cricket. He has been named within the squad for the Champions Trophy in addition to the upcoming three-match ODI collection towards England.

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