India’s opening batter KL Rahul has been going through a lean patch in his cricketing career. The string of low scores has raised questions about Rahul’s place in the Indian Test setup. With Shubman Gill waiting in the wings, fans and experts don’t look too convinced with the Indian team management’s decision to back KL Rahul. However, both captain Rohit Sharma and coach Rahul Dravid seem to care a little about all the cries about Rahul.
The Indian skipper once again refused to speak against Rahul and said that the management will continue to back players who think has the potential. As Sharma was asked about Rahul’s place in the playing XI for the third Test at the pre-match press conference, Rohit repeated his answer.
“Like I said after the last game, players with potential will be given enough time to prove themselves. KL Rahul's removal as vice-captain doesn't indicate anything. He was made the vice-captain because maybe there were not many experienced players at that time. It is not a big thing,” said the Indian captain on the eve of the Indore Test.
"As far as 11 is concerned, I would like to do it at the toss. I prefer it that way considering last-minute injuries are a possibility,” Rohit added.
So, as it seems, Shubman Gill will once again warm the bench and Rahul will play ahead of him. However, former India head coach Ravi Shastri has clearly said that Gill should get preference on merit.
“Gill is that good at the moment and whether he scores or doesn’t score, on form, on merit, he deserves a chance. When you have a player that confident and then his performances of late and the way he’s batted – there’ll be a lot of players in that team thinking within themselves ‘How’s this guy not playing?” said Shastri.
“They must be thinking, to be honest, it’s like that, the dressing room. I know that dressing room. They’ll be feeling ‘Gee man, this guy is hot'” Ravi Shastri added.
