Ahead of the first Test against Sri Lanka starting August 15 in Galle, India's bowling coach Morne Morkel has thrown his weight behind KL Rahul, emphasizing the veteran batter's importance to the team's chances in the two-match series.

Speaking during the pre-match press conference, Morkel highlighted that Rahul is the sole survivor from India's 2017 touring side's batting group, making his experience invaluable in unfamiliar conditions. "The way he's been leading up front with the batting has been exceptional," Morkel said, praising Rahul's recent form and his ability to guide younger players.

Morkel explained that Rahul's communication in the nets and during practice sessions is crucial for helping the squad understand what to expect from the Galle surface. India arrived in Sri Lanka 10 days early specifically to give players time to work on their individual game plans and figure out how to score on the slow, turning tracks typical of the island nation.

With a relatively young batting unit under captain Shubman Gill, Rahul's role extends beyond just scoring runs. His experience, calm presence, and ability to mentor the likes of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Devdutt Padikkal will be vital. Morkel expressed confidence that Rahul's leadership and batting prowess will be a key factor in India's quest to climb up the WTC standings.