KL Rahul return to bat Day 2? What ICC's retired hurt rule says

India made a strong start to the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle, finishing Day 1 at 288/2. Devdutt Padikkal remained unbeaten after scoring a brilliant century, while Rishabh Pant also looked comfortable at the crease.

India won the toss and chose to bat first on a good batting surface. The openers gave India a solid start before a mix-up led to Yashasvi Jaiswal's run-out. KL Rahul then joined Padikkal and the pair added a 150-run partnership to put India in a strong position.

However, Rahul had to retire hurt on 77 after suffering cramps. He had already made a valuable contribution, adding 47 runs with Jaiswal before his partnership with Padikkal. India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak later said Rahul was "fine now", raising hopes that he could return to bat on Day 2 if he is fit enough to continue.

Why KL Rahul retired hurt on 77 — what happened on Day 1 in Galle

India won the toss and chose to bat first on a good batting surface in Galle. The openers gave India a solid start, but a mix-up between the batters led to Yashasvi Jaiswal's run-out. KL Rahul and Devdutt Padikkal then took control and built a strong 150-run partnership.

Rahul played an important role in India's innings. He first added 47 runs with Jaiswal before joining Padikkal at the crease. Rahul reached 77 and looked set for a big score, but he began to feel uncomfortable after suffering from cramps.

The discomfort eventually forced Rahul to retire hurt on Saturday. His decision raised questions about whether he would be able to return to the crease on Day 2 and continue his innings. However, India will hope that Rahul recovers fully and is fit enough to bat again.

Retired hurt vs Retired out — What the ICC rule actually allows

The rules are different when a batter leaves the field voluntarily without an injury, illness or another valid physical reason. In such a case, the batter is recorded as retired out.

A batter who is retired out normally cannot return to the crease during the same innings. However, there is an important exception. The batter can return if the opposition captain agrees to allow the player to resume the innings.

KL Rahul's case is different because he retired hurt after suffering cramps. Since he was not recorded as retired out, he remains eligible to return to the crease and continue his innings once he is fit to bat again.

India's batting order on Day 2: Who bats if Rahul can't return?

KL Rahul can return to the crease in the same innings if he recovers from the physical issue that forced him to leave the field. Since he retired hurt, his innings is not considered finished.

Under the ICC playing conditions, a batter who leaves the field because of an illness, injury or another valid physical problem can resume their innings later. This means Rahul's 77 not out is still active, and he can continue batting when India resume their innings.

Rahul did not return before the end of Day 1, but that does not stop him from batting again on Day 2. If he is fit enough to continue, he can return to the crease and resume his innings from 77 not out.