KL Rahul reveals he was ‘ahead of schedule’ in injury recovery process: Could’ve come back much before Asia Cup

India wicket-keeping batter KL Rahul has revealed that he was ahead of schedule in his injury recovery process and could’ve come back much before the 2023 Asia Cup. India is all set to face Pakistan in the Super-4 stage of the ongoing Asia Cup at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

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Speaking in a video released by the BCCI, Rahul said he developed a small niggle during his recovery process which set him back, adding that he was ahead of schedule and could’ve returned much before the Asia Cup. Rahul picked up a thigh injury during IPL 2023 and had to undergo surgery, which ruled him out for several months.

“Unfortunately, in the recovery process, I developed a small niggle just before I could come back into the team, which was a big downer. I was actually I ahead a schedule, and I felt like I could come back much before the Asia Cup and give myself a lot of time and prepare myself really well,” said Rahul.

He went on to say that there were ups and downs within his injury recovery, adding that being mentally ready helped him get through those phases. In Rahul’s absence, Ishan Kishan stepped up against Pakistan in the group-stage of the Asia Cup, hitting an under-pressure 81-ball 82.

“But unfortunately, one more niggle set me back a couple of weeks. So yeah, I went through a bit of ups and downs within the recovery period as well. So that’s part of it. I was ready mentally, so I think that really helped,” Rahul added.

The 31-year-old said he is happy to be back in the team and has been playing 100-over cricket, adding that he is confident and has prepared well for his comeback. Rahul has been one of India’s most consistent middle-order batters in the recent past, having scored 735 runs in 17 matches at the number five spot, including a hundred and seven fifties.

“I’m happy to come back into the team and get back the rhythm of being in the middle, playing 100 overs, keeping for 50 overs. I’m fighting for as long as I need to, just getting back that adrenaline of being back on the cricket field. We’re playing the best tournaments outside of the World Cup. We’re playing some quality teams in the next week, 10 days. So I’m very excited about that. I’ve prepared really well. I’m confident about myself,” said Rahul.

The 2023 Asia Cup has moved on to the second phase of the tournament, with Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, India and Pakistan making it to the Super-4 stage. Each team will face each other in a round-robin format with the top-two teams facing off in the final in Colombo on September 17.