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Sunil Gavaskar backs KL Rahul to bounce back from his lean patch

image-l8j2b1xhKL Rahul (PC: Twitter)

Amidst severe criticism, former Indian skipper Sunil Gavaskar has backed the opening batter, KL Rahul. With the T20I World Cup less than a month away, the Indian cricket fraternity is concerned with Rahul’s lean patch. Rahul made a comeback to the team after almost five months during the Asia Cup.

The opener could not find his rhythm throughout the tournament as he ended up with only 132 runs in five games. His strike rate of 122 was also worrisome for India. Playing the first T20 International against Australia, Rahul looked in great shape with a blistering knock of 55 runs off 35 balls.

However, what followed after that was two consecutive poor performances with scores of 10 and one. The star batter is drawing a lot of flak from the cricket fraternity, with many questioning his place in the Indian team. However, Gavaskar believes that Rahul is doing exactly what the team wants him to do.

Gavaskar has some advice for Rahul

Reflecting on the opener’s performance in the just-concluded three-match series, the former skipper added that Rahul sacrificed his wicket. The veteran believes that since the asking rate was more in the last two games, the opening batter felt it much better to make space for power hitters.

In a conversation with Star Sports, Gavaskar said:

"Well, he was doing what the team was expecting him to do which was both the times, you saw he got a fifty in the first game but in the second game, where he had to throw the bat from the first ball because it was an 8-overs-a-side game, he sacrificed his wicket for the team. Similarly, the asking rate in the 3rd T20I match was more than 9 runs an over, it's never easy, you want to get off to a good start. He sacrificed his wicket over there.”

Further, the former skipper believes that Rahul is unstoppable when he plays proper cricketing shots. However, playing the cross-batter shot is not his strength and he should not try to swing the bat across the line. Gavaskar advised the Lucknow Super Giants skipper to continue playing on the front foot and score runs consistently.

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