K Srikkanth Slams Team Management For Changing KL Rahul's Batting Position (Source: AP Photos)
As the Champions Trophy is knocking on the door, Team India is doing their last time checking before stepping onto the big stage. As the ODI series against England progresses, KL Rahul’s fluctuating batting position remains a concern, disrupting his rhythm.
Before stepping into the third ODI match, former Indian player K Srikkanth took a dig and Gautam Gambhir for continuously changing batting position.
Srikkanth On KL Rahul’s Batting Position
Over the years, KL Rahul has become one of the most dependable wicketkeeper-batter of the Indian side. But his continuously fluctuating batting position is making a huge impact in his natural game and even on the team’s performance. KL Rahul has an impressive average of 57.22, amassing 1,259 runs in 30 matches at No. 5. While talking about this, K Srikkanth shared his view on this.
“Shreyas Iyer is in good form, which is a positive for India. But I feel for KL Rahul, it’s very unfortunate. Yes, Axar Patel is scoring 30s and 40s, but what they are doing with KL Rahul is not fair. Look at his record, he has excelled at No. 5, with a brilliant record. I don’t know what the team management is thinking regarding his position. If he bats at No. 6 or 7, he ends up scoring 6 or 7. It’s unfair,” Srikkanth said.
Srikkanth’s Dig At Gautam Gambhir
In the previous two matches, coach Gautam Gambhir and team management decided to send Axar Patel and no 5 and Rahul came to bat at number 6. However, Axar raised his bat on high but Rahul’s position faced criticism again as he scored 2 and 10 in the previous two matches. While defending Rahul, the former Indian captain took a dig at the Indian coach.
“Hey, Gambhir, what you are doing is not right. Yes, depending on the situation, India can send Axar at No. 5, but it cannot be a consistent strategy. If you keep making such changes, you know what will happen — there will be a crucial match where everything falls apart. That’s what worries me. You can’t justify it by talking about the left-right combination. Does that mean you don’t care about a left-right combination in the top four? Why does it only matter at No. 5?” Srikkanth added.
On Team Management’s Strategy And Rahul’s Role In Champions Trophy
The team management opted for KL Rahul for the wicketkeeper-batter’s role in the past two encounters but the batter failed to make a huge impact in both games. As Rahul was playing, Rishabh Pant was seen warming the bench. Srikkanth also mentioned that if India is determined to keep Rahul at No. 6, they might as well consider bringing Rishabh Pant into that position.
“I have no issue with Axar Patel—he is making the most of his chances. But if you’re pushing Rahul down the order, then play Rishabh Pant at No. 6. Why undermine Rahul’s confidence? Is it fair to a player who has performed brilliantly in world cricket?” he said.
“Now, what you’ve done is you’ve sidelined Rishabh Pant as well. One of them has to play. I have a feeling Pant will feature in the third ODI and then in the Champions Trophy too. Rahul might end up warming the bench again. You should play your best player at No. 5, regardless of whether he is left-handed or right-handed” he added.
Team India will step into the third ODI on February 12 with a 2-0 lead. The big question now is whether the team management will give Rishabh Pant a chance or stick with KL Rahul for the crucial match.
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 "Poulomi Chakraborty")
