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KL Rahul injury update: India opener leaves pitch retired hurt at the start of Session 3, Day 1 of 1st Test in Galle originally appeared on Cricket News .
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KEY TAKEAWAYS:
KL Rahul retired hurt on Day 1 of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle.
The India opener was suffering from severe cramps after the tea break.
Shubman Gill came out to replace Rahul at the crease.
India opener leaves the pitch retired hurt at the start of Session 3
Team India has started their opening day at the 1st Test with a bang. But there's slight concern for the side as well since opening batter KL Rahul was forced to leave the field after retiring hurt on the opening day of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle. The vice-captain was unable to continue his innings after the tea interval, having looked in commanding touch.
Rahul had helped India build a strong platform at the Galle International Stadium, with the visitors reaching 204 for 1 at tea on a spin-friendly surface. His departure was down to physical discomfort rather than a dismissal, coming as a blow just as India was dictating terms.
Captain Shubman Gill walked out to take his place at the crease, joining Devdutt Padikkal in the middle as India looked to maintain their momentum through the third session.
MORE: 'What a mix-up!': Jaiswal run out after miscommunication with Rahul in Galle
KL Rahul retires hurt with cramps on Day 1 in Galle
Rahul was seen receiving treatment during the innings, struggling with severe cramps in both hands and his forearm. Reports indicated he was also battling cramping in his legs and was having difficulty walking, ultimately forcing him to retire hurt after the tea break.
The humid, sapping conditions in Galle appeared to take their toll on the opener, who had batted for a lengthy period in the heat. Temperatures at the coastal venue hovered around 30 degrees Celsius with high humidity, making it physically demanding for the batters.
Crucially, Rahul has retired hurt rather than being ruled out, meaning he is able to return to bat later in the innings once he has recovered. India will be hopeful the issue is nothing more serious than cramp, given his importance to their batting lineup.
MORE: LIVE: India vs Sri Lanka 1st Test live updates, score, weather report, toss, win chances, result and highlights from Galle
Why are Rahul's cramps a concern India can ill afford?
Even as a temporary setback, Rahul's discomfort is the last thing India needed given their injury-hit build-up to this series. Having already lost Jasprit Bumrah and Sai Sudharsan, any further physical issue to a senior batter adds to the strain on a squad in transition. But more than this, it also tells about the side's conditioning issues.
Cramps in these draining subcontinental conditions have been a theme that has dogged India in recent months.
Rahul was in fine form when he walked off, and India will be desperate for him to return and convert his start, but managing player fitness through the sweltering heat at Galle looks set to be as important as anything they do with bat or ball in this Test.
KL Rahul 'absolutely fine'
India's batting coach Sitanshu Kotak provided an update on KL Rahul's condition, while speaking to the media at the end of Day 1's play.
Kotak's update brought much-needed relief for Indian fans as he said, "He was getting cramps. By the end of the day, he was fine. He looks absolutely fine. He should be okay to bat tomorrow."
Rahul is expected to take the field on Day 2 in Galle and complete his century.
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