By Niharika Raina New Delhi, Aug 13 : Since the second ODI played against West Indies on February 9 in Ahmedabad, KL Rahul hasn’t played any international cricket.A left hamstring strain on the upper side during playing in the second ODI kept the player out of action until he took charge of the Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2022.
He scored 616 runs in 15 games to become the second highest run-getter in the tournament.
Following the conclusion of the IPL, he was named as captain for the five-match T20I series at home against South Africa in June.
However, a groin injury to his right on the day of the first game in New Delhi ruled him out of the series.Rahul went to Germany to undergo a hernia surgery and was ruled out of the England tour.
He was scheduled to return to India’s T20I series against West Indies, but a positive test for Covid-19 ahead of the tour resulted in he was not in the squad in the tour to the Caribbean.In the last week, he was included in the team for the Asia Cup and on August 11 he was added to the ODI team to play a three-match series in Zimbabwe as captain.
Former India left-arm spinner Maninder Singh feels that with Rahul returning to the team after a long absence because of injuries, the task for the right-handed opener to his normal rhythm will be enormous.
“There are many of players who, if (they) find their the rhythm of their game, would be excellent for the Indian team.
KL Rahul hasn’t played in many years because of injuries.He is expected to get the chance to play in international cricket, regardless of how good the player is, when you’re trying to come back from an injury or layoff, it’sn’t that simple.
To do this, picking the right rhythm is crucial,” said Maninder in an exclusive conversation with IANS hosted by Sony Sports Network.
Maninder added that the three-match series of ODIs against Zimbabwe will be crucial for the young left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh who has picked nine wickets in six T20Is to date.
The series was against the West Indies, Arshdeep picked seven wickets in five games, impressing the crowd with his disciplined bowling and deservedly be named “Player of the Series’.
“If you think from that angle it’s important for KL Rahul as well as for many young players, such as Arshdeep Singh who has been extremely efficient in the white-ball games he has played up to now.If he is consistent in his role as a captain, coach, and the selectors, the confidence in him will grow even more.
“Though I’ve taken only two names, it’s an opportunity for everyone as in cricket played internationally, it’s crucial to be mentally prepared and to be strong.
If you’re performing well in two or three matches but you are not able to do it consistently your mental power is well-known.Therefore that’s it.All of that is to benefit the Indian team, and the young players particularly for the think tank,” added Maninder.
Similar to Rahul off-spinning all-rounder Washington Sundar has had a stop-start year.
A positive test for Covid-19 resulted in he was forced to be absent from ODIs in the series against South Africa in January after having missed the England tour and the second half of IPL 2021 due to a finger injuries.Although he played in ODIs against West Indies in February, Washington was not able to play in any of the subsequent T20Is with them and Sri Lanka due to a injury to his hamstring.
In IPL 2022 he was injured in his hand when playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad and had to take a break from several of matches.He was then treated at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in June.
Washington then joined forces with Lancashire to take part in three County Championship matches and the entire of the Royal London One-Day Cup.
The following day, Washington suffered another injury worry when he fell heavily on his left shoulder when diving onto the field during an Royal London One-Day Cup match against Worcestershire and his eligibility for the ODIs in Zimbabwe Zimbabwe in the balance.
Maninder He played in 35 Tests and 59 OODs for India believes that Washington must improve his fitness in order to avoid being injured often.
“It’s difficult for any player to get injured often after playing a few or a couple of matches.
Between breaks you must be a bit more active and this isn’t difficult for any athlete.In this case the advantage of playing in County Championship is he can bowl lots of overs in matches.
“No regardless of how much you bowl in the nets it is the bowling you play in matches is the primary preparation you need to do when you want at playing international cricket.It’s great that he gets to participate in County Championship but a large portion of his potential is being wasted because of injuries.Therefore, he needs to put in more effort to improve his fitness.
“He is a highly skilled cricketer, not just with his off-spin but with the bat too.He played with the bat when he was given the opportunity, such as in the (Gabba) Test that we beat Australia.I just hope that, despite the injuries that happen frequently, he stays away from it and work a little more in his training.”
India tour of Zimbabwe will be telecast on Sony Sports Network from August 18 to 22.
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