KL Rahul in action during a training session ahead of the first Test cricket match against Sri Lanka at Galle International Stadium in Galle, Sri Lanka, on August 13, 2026.
| Photo Credit: ANI
India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel has backed wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul to play an important role for India in the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka, highlighting the batter’s experience and his ability to help the younger members of the squad adapt to the conditions.
India will play the first Test of the two-match series from August 15 at the Galle International Stadium.
Notably, Rahul is the sole survivor from India’s 2017 touring side’s batting group, with Morkel highlighting his experience as a valuable asset for the team in Galle.
Speaking to reporters during the pre-match press conference ahead of the Galle Test, Morkel praised Rahul’s recent batting and said his experience and communication will help the younger players prepare for the conditions in Sri Lanka. He added that India’s early arrival has allowed the players to work on their individual game plans and understand how to score on the Galle surface.
“KL, the last couple of years, the way he’s been leading up front with the batting has been exceptional, and that’s a sort of communication that we expect him to speak to the guys here in the preparation at the nets and about what to expect. But I think, our guys have learned a lot about their games individually over the last couple of months and that’s one of the reasons why we’ve come out here 10 days earlier to give the guys the best opportunity to prepare to work on their individual game plans and individual game plans, and yeah, just to figure out how they’re going to score on the surface here,” Morkel said.
Published – August 14, 2026 01:22 am IST
