Morne Morkel Returns to Bowling, KL Rahul Fights for Place Ahead of Pune Test

Morne Morkel’s involvement in India’s practice session ahead of the second Test against New Zealand adds an exciting dimension to the team’s preparation. After a year without bowling, the former South African pacer rolled his arms over in the nets, with KL Rahul facing his deliveries. Morkel’s caution regarding his body, emphasizing injury prevention, speaks to his awareness of his physical limits as a retired player, now part of India’s coaching setup.

For KL Rahul, this is a crucial moment. His poor form in the first Test, scoring just 12 runs across two innings, has put his place under scrutiny, especially with Sarfaraz Khan’s century and Shubman Gill’s expected return from injury for the Pune Test. Assistant coach Ryan Ten Doeschate’s comments suggest that the team is keen to avoid “panic decisions” regarding Rahul’s spot, with Gambhir backing him. However, the decision-making will be tricky, with the team facing a dilemma of fitting seven players into six spots.

Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant’s recovery from a knee injury he sustained during the first Test remains a concern. Pant participated in an extended net session despite discomfort and seemed hopeful about keeping wickets in the second test. Dhruv Jurel, who replaced him during the first match, might be on standby again if Pant isn’t fully fit.

With all these developments, the second Test promises to be an intense encounter as India faces mounting pressure to bounce back.

Image Credits: India Today

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