Rahul had to retire on 77 after stitching an unbeaten 150-run stand with Devdutt Padikkal, who slammed his maiden Test century on Saturday. India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has revealed that vice-captain KL Rahul will be fit to bat again on Day 2 after he retired hurt due to spasms on the opening day of the 1st Test against Sri Lanka in Galle. Rahul was in visible pain and unable to hold his bat, with broadcast images later showing him struggling to climb the stairs.
Vice-captain KL Rahul had to retire on 77 and India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak said the Bengaluru man is suffering from cramps.
“See, he is someone, when he plays in one-day (match) as if you have seen him, he bats at number 6 or 5.
Probably once you start getting cramps, you get it in the hamstring, you get it in the groin, you get it in your hand,” said Kotak after the close of play. Rahul needed support from Indian team physio Kamlesh Jain to reach the visitors’ dressing room for further treatment. “KL batted really well. I think he was getting only cramps. So by the end of the day, he was fine. “But at the moment he looks absolutely fine. 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.
So he should be good to go tomorrow,” he said.
