Former India cricketer Venkatapathy Raju is in favor of KL Rahul continuing to be a part of the Test playing XI despite his poor show in the first Test against New Zealand at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. He registered a duck in the first innings while managing just 12 in the second essay.
The 32-year-old is under the scanner after his ordinary return as the India National Cricket Team lost the match by 8 wickets. However, former spinner Venkatapathy Raju feels Rahul deserves another chance.
“The Playing XI shouldn’t be changed. If I were the captain, I would go in with the same team. You need experience in the batting order, and you can’t bench KL Rahul. He should play in the next test match in Pune. India are still leading the points table in the World Test Championship and Rohit is a positive captain. He goes with a positive approach and knows that past is past and it is time to win the next game. I am sure he will,” Raju told TimesofIndia.com.
Since 2022, Rahul has scored 514 runs in 21 innings at 25.7, including one century and three half-centuries. In 53 Tests, he has amassed 2981 runs at an average of 33.87, with the help of eight centuries and 15 half-centuries.
Raju further said that the team management should back KL Rahul, keeping the Border-Gavasakar Trophy against Australia in mind.
“India should also think about the five-Test matches we are going to play in Australia and there is no need to panic. Let’s play Rahul in the second game against New Zealand. I know he will bounce back as he is a good player. India need to pull their socks a bit,” he added.
Meanwhile, Shubman Gill is fit to play in the upcoming contest, and head coach Gambhir and Rohit will have to choose between Rahul and Sarfaraz Khan. The young batter scored 150 runs in the second innings in Bengaluru.
Leave a Reply