Border-Gavaskar Trophy: KL Rahul hit by friendly fire, Virat Kohli defies injury concerns

India opener KL Rahul left the field after being struck on the elbow by fast-bowling teammate Prasidh Krishna in an intra-squad match in Perth on Friday, while Virat Kohli emerged to bat despite injury concerns ahead of the Test series against Australia.

Rahul was hit by a rising delivery at the WACA and sought medical attention from staff as India’s players started their three-day “match simulation” a week out from the series-opener at Perth Stadium.

He is likely to open with Yashasvi Jaiswal in the first Test should captain Rohit Sharma miss the match due to the expected arrival of his second child.

Kohli went for scans this week on an undisclosed injury, media reported, but came out to bat on Friday against a team comprising India A squad members and fringe players.

India staff did not provide immediate comment about Rahul’s condition. “It’s just happened so will take some time to assess his elbow,” a BCCI source said.

However, the BCCI source said “there’re no concerns as of now with Kohli.”

Kohli’s form has been a major talking point in the lead-up to the five-Test series following his struggles against New Zealand.

The talismanic batter managed 93 runs at an average of 15.50 as India were whitewashed 3-0 by the Black Caps. At the WACA, Kohli managed 15 runs before nicking seamer Mukesh Kumar to the slips.

However, Kohli has excelled in Australian conditions in the past, averaging over 54 across four visits to Australia starting from 2012-13. Former India coach and captain Ravi Shastri has backed Kohli to regain his touch against Australia. “Well, the king is back in his territory,” Shastri said. “That’s all I will tell the doubters. When you’ve earned that title after your exploits in Australia, it will be on your opponent’s mind when you go out to bat,” he added.

Under pressure to rebound in Australia after the stunning New Zealand setback, India opted to prepare the series with the intra-team warm-up rather than take on a local side in a tour match.