KL Rahul’s capabilities as a cricketer shouldn’t be undermined after a single Test. Discover insights from former India players on his future.
New Delhi: A lot went wrong for Team India in the first Test of the three-match series against New Zealand. Firstly, skipper Rohit Sharma misjudged the Bangalore pitch, resulting in I
ndia being bowled out for just 46, their lowest score on home soil. Secondly, the Indian bowlers struggled while the New Zealand batsmen dominated and took a 356-run lead.Eventually, India’s performance collapsed again in the second innings, losing seven wickets for just 54 runs, barring Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant and young Sarfaraz Khan. After losing the three-match series 1-0, India might reconsider their starting line-up for the second Test, which begins on Thursday at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune.
KL Rahul, whose form has been under scrutiny, especially after disappointing scores of 0 and 12 in the first Test, might be in danger of losing his place. All-rounder Washington Sundar was included in the squad after the loss in the first Test.
However, former India pacer Venkatapathy Raju believes Rohit should stick with the same eleven, including the “experienced” K.L. Rahul, despite his recent struggles. “I don’t think we should make any changes to the playing squad.
If I was the captain, I would have gone with the same squad. You need experienced players in your team. You can’t leave K.L. Rahul on the bench after a few Test matches. He is an experienced batsman and there is no need to panic. He is still at the top of the WTC standings and knows it’s time to finish the series now,” Raju told TimesofIndia.com.
K.L. Rahul failed to make much of an impact in his last five innings and managed just one half-century in India’s recent series against Bangladesh. He had hit a half-century against England earlier this year and a century in South Africa, but a lack of consistency in his performances has raised doubts about his place in the team. His performance in Bengaluru has fuelled speculation about his future in the Test team.
India currently have three spinners who took part in the Bengaluru Test. Washington comes in only when he gets injured. If you look at it as a match, there should be no panic. The situation in Bengaluru was different. No one knew what Prithvi would look like.
“We played good cricket. That is in the past. On the other hand, Rohit needs to focus on the next two Test matches. He said, “I am sure India will come back and win the series.”
“India should think about the five Tests in Australia and not panic. Let’s play KL Rahul in the second Test and give him a chance. I am sure he will come back. He has experience. India just have to be ready.” Raju said this is it. said
India needs a fast bowling all-rounder.
Although India have two experienced spin all-rounders in Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, Raju feels they also need a fast bowling all-rounder in their lineup.
Raju expressed surprise that Rohit has decided to field only two fast bowlers, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, in the Bengaluru Test.
India lack fast bowling all-rounders. Fast bowling all-rounders have a big role in the team. India have selected only two fast bowlers for the Bengaluru Test, Raju said. “Hardik Pandya is in the squad, but will he be available for the Test?” “The issue is that a fast bowler takes the burden off the captain’s shoulders. You are a fast bowler and batsman at the same time.”
