KL Rahul's Return to Batting Boosts India Ahead of Perth Test; Shubman Gill Ruled Out

India received a significant boost ahead of the upcoming Perth Test as KL Rahul made a successful return to batting practice during Sunday's training session. The return of the vice-captain to the nets was particularly encouraging after his injury scare during India's intra-squad match on Friday. Rahul had been struck on the elbow by a rising delivery from Prasidh Krishna, forcing him to leave the field early. However, after two days of concern, Rahul seemed to have shaken off any lingering discomfort, taking part in a solid training session at the WACA.

Rahul had grimaced in pain after the blow from Krishna, and after seeking medical attention, he did not return to the crease for the remainder of the match simulation. His fitness had been under scrutiny, but Sunday's nearly three-hour workout showed promising signs. Rahul spent around an hour batting on the ground before moving to the nets for a brief session. While he didn’t appear as fluid as usual, there were no visible signs of pain or discomfort, a positive development for India as they prepare for the Test series against Australia.

The good news for India, however, was tempered by the near-confirmation that Shubman Gill will miss the Perth Test. Gill suffered a thumb injury while fielding in the slips on Friday, and though he had made 28 and an unbeaten 42 in India's match simulation, he was not seen at Sunday’s training session. His injury raises further questions about India’s batting lineup for the first Test, with the 24-year-old's absence leaving a gap at the top of the order.

With Gill’s availability in doubt, India’s opening combination remains uncertain. There is also no confirmation yet on whether Rohit Sharma will be available for the first Test. Rohit, who recently became a father for the second time, was in Mumbai attending to family matters following the birth of his child on Friday. His arrival in Perth before the Test match, which begins on November 22, remains unclear.

India’s batting lineup was further impacted by the absence of several key players in Sunday’s training session, including Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, and Rishabh Pant. Despite this, Kohli’s fitness has not raised major concerns. After undergoing scans following a minor scare, Kohli batted without discomfort in India’s match simulation. He scored 15 and 30* in the practice match but did show some signs of struggle against short-pitched deliveries on a relatively benign WACA surface.

Meanwhile, India’s pace attack, led by vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah, also had a productive day in the nets and match simulation. The bowling unit has been sharpening its skills in preparation for the challenging conditions at the WACA, known for its bounce and pace.

With three days of training at the WACA now complete, India will shift their focus to the Optus Stadium on Tuesday, where they will resume their preparations for the first Test. The team’s training block in Perth has been intensive, with a combination of net sessions and match simulations to replicate match conditions as closely as possible.

India’s final pre-Test preparations come as hosts Australia also gear up for the series, with their first Test training session scheduled for Monday at the WACA.

As the countdown to the first Test continues, India will be hoping for positive news regarding Rohit’s availability, while Rahul’s fitness will remain a key factor in the team’s batting strength.