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'When you need them to score runs, they all get out': Kapil Dev comes down hard at Rohit, Virat & Rahul

One of the finest all-rounders of his generation, Kapil Dev, came down hard at Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul ahead of India's upcoming five-T20I series against South Africa, starting from June 9 in Delhi.


Rahul will be leading the Indian team without their regular skipper Rohit, who had been rested following a two-month-long 2022 season of Indian Premier League (IPL). 


Both India captain Rohit and Virat struggled for runs in the recently concluded season of IPL. While Rohit failed to score even one half-century in the tournament, finishing the season with just 268 runs in 14 games at an average of 19.14, Kohli, too, endured a disappointing season as he could manage only 341 runs in 16 matches at an average of 22.73.


KL Rahul, on the other hand, was terrific with the bat for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), having amassed 616 runs with two centuries from 15 matches. However, his strike rate in some games, including the eliminator against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), drew a lot of criticism from the cricket fraternity. 


The 1983 World Cup-winning captain reckoned that the trio of Rohit, Virat and Rahul shouldn't feel the pressure and play fearlessly as all of them can strike 150-160 regularly. 

 

"They have a big reputation and there's huge pressure on them, which shouldn't be the case. You have to play fearless cricket. All of these are players who can hit at a strike rate of 150-160. When you need them to score runs, they all get out. When it is time to take off (in the innings), they are out. And that adds to pressure. Either you play an anchor or you play striker," Kapil Dev said on YouTube channel ‘Uncut’.


Further speaking on the T20 approach of Rahul, the former India captain said that there needs to be a role clarification, adding that a big reputation of a player is of no use if he fails to deliver good performance for the team.


"When you talk about KL Rahul, if the team tells him to play the entire 20 overs and you come back with a score of, say 60 not out, you're not doing justice to your team," Kapil added.


"I think the approach needs to change. And if it doesn't, you have to change the players. A big player is expected to make a big impact. Having a big reputation is not enough, you also have to deliver great performances," he concluded.

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SL vs AUS 2022 | Travis Head’s realistic outlook towards featuring in the playing XI

Australia's top-order batter Travis Head is unsure of his selection in the playing XI for the upcoming five-match ODI series against Sri Lanka. The ODI series between Australia and Sri Lanka will get underway on June 14 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. Though Head forms a part of Australia's ODI squad, the chances of him making it to the final XI look bleak. The major reason behind the same is the availability of Australia's dynamic opening duo of Aaron Finch and David Warner. Head last donned the yellow jersey in March for the three-match ODI series against Pakistan. In the absence of Warner, the batter opened the innings alongside skipper Finch. The southpaw grabbed the opportunity provided to him by both hands as he emerged as the second-highest run-scorer for Australia in the series. The 28-year-old also has spectacular numbers to his name as an opener in the 50-over format. In his last 15 innings as an opening batter, the Adelaide-based cricketer has scored a whopping 683 runs at an average of 45.5 and a strike rate of 105. He has also smacked two centuries and five fifties. Despite the stellar record, the South Australian has kept a realistic approach regarding his selection. Also, the top-order batter has been named in Australia 'A' squad that will feature in some first-class games in the island nation. "It means I probably won't start (in the ODI series). I'm realistic in that Davey (Warner) and Finchy are back together at the top of the order, and then you've got a middle-order that's so set in that side it's a hard one to get into," Head told cricket.com.au. "I think the plan is to see the lay of the land for the first couple of ODIs and, if the opportunity isn't quite there and a spot doesn't open up, then there's a chance for me to play in the second Australia A (four-day) game and turn my focus to the Test series," he added. "I'm probably the unfortunate one at the moment who's just out of that ODI starting XI, but it's great to be back in the squad and I hope I've been able to force the selectors hand a bit over the last 18 months or so with domestic form and then in Pakistan. I'll try to keep banging the door down, and that's all you can really do," Head concluded. He further revealed that he is hoping to get some opportunities in the coming months. Australian cricket team has a packed schedule as they are scheduled to play the ODI series against England, South Africa, New Zealand, and Zimbabwe. The batter hopes to get some good opportunities to get a place in the squad for the World Cup, scheduled in India next year.