Sitanshu Kotak says KL Rahul fine after retiring hurt on 77 in Galle Test
India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak said KL Rahul was feeling fine after the opener retired hurt on 77 during Day 1 of the first Test against Sri Lanka at the Galle International Stadium on Saturday. Rahul left the field shortly after the tea break with cramps and discomfort.
Rahul received medical attention on the field and walked back to the dressing room alongside the team physio, with the Indian medical team assessing discomfort in his right hand after he retired hurt. Kotak played down concerns about Rahul’s condition and backed him to return to the crease on Sunday. "KL batted really well. I think he was getting only cramps. So by the end of the day, he was fine. Probably once you start getting cramps, you get it in the hamstring, you get it in the groin, you get it in your hand.But at the moment he looks absolutely fine. So he should be good to go tomorrow," Kotak said in the post-day press conference.
Rahul compiled 77 off 162 balls, striking nine fours and a six as he anchored India’s innings against Sri Lanka’s bowlers. He and Devdutt Padikkal put on a 150-run partnership to steady the innings after the early loss of Yashasvi Jaiswal.
India were 138/1 when Rahul retired hurt, with Padikkal going on to convert his end of the stand into a maiden Test century. India closed Day 1 on 288/2, with Padikkal unbeaten on 131 off 178 balls, having hit 12 fours and a six, and Rishabh Pant not out on 27 off 36 balls.
The earlier dismissals on the opening day included Yashasvi Jaiswal, who was run out for 32 following a mix-up with Rahul, and captain Shubman Gill, who was out for 16 to left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya. Jayasuriya removed Gill in his 21st over after the India captain attempted a cheeky shot.
Kotak also praised Rahul’s adaptability between formats and his willingness to take responsibility in the lineup, saying: "See, he is someone, when he plays in one-day (match) as if you have seen him, he bats at number 6 or 5. So when you are a senior batsman, and if you are open to bat at any number and help the team, I think that is a great player to have. So for a team, he is someone who is very useful. So in a red ball match he opens, in a one-day match he bats wherever required. Now, the way he is batting, he is taking a lot of responsibilities, he is trying to create a lot of partnerships, and that is something really good to have, and he has been very, very consistent," he added.
Attention will turn to Rahul when India resume their innings on Day 2; if he is fit to return as expected, he will have the opportunity to add to his 77 and continue the innings he was forced to leave unfinished on the opening day.
