Sanjay Manjrekar has expressed concerns over KL Rahul being the right choice to open the batting for India in the first Test against Australia in Perth. With India captain Rohit Sharma being out of the series opener starting on November 22, it is an extremely challenging task that the team management needs to take up and choose the right man for the top-order berth.
Will KL Rahul Shine For India As Opener?
Despite having enough experience opening in Australia, the present coaching staff has selected him as well for the same position as he has performed well in the previous matches played in the country. Recently, Rahul has also been included in the India A squad for the second unofficial Test against Australia A to be played where he opened the innings. However, poor form continued when he went out cheaply by scoring only 4 in the first innings as he edged one to Scott Boland. He only scored 10 in the second innings, getting out in a peculiar way by allowing the ball go through his legs.
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“It’s not like KL Rahul as an opening option is setting the stage on fire. Going by the reality, KL Rahul currently you can see, you’ve got to feel for him, I love him as a player the kind of talent he has. He looks a bit down on confidence and you don’t want someone like him batting at the top of the order because much of the tempo of the innings is set at the start number 1,2 and 3,” Manjrekar said on ESPNCricinfo.
Manjrekar Feels Rahul Should Bat In Middle Order
At a time when it is going low and low, Manjrekar feels Rahul may not be the best person for the opening job at Australia. An opener’s job is to set the duration or pitch of the game, according to Manjrekar, which Rahul’s recent form doesn’t inspire confidence for, for sure. Since the start of 2022, Rahul has only managed just 514 runs from 21 innings in 12 Test matches, with an average of 25.7, this includes one century and three half-centuries. His numbers in Australia are also a concern, with just 183 runs from four matches-seven innings-at an average of 26.14 and a strike rate of 45.29, including one century.
“I’m going by KL Rahul for the work he’s done down the order and very recently in South Africa. He was batting at number six with a softer Kookaburra ball and if he has to bat with the tailenders, I feel he will be terrific where he’s got the big game as well. So I see KL better used and more chances of KL Rahul adding value to the team at that position,” he added.
Manjrekar feels Rahul might also be even more effective middle-order, specially at number six, where he can play a key role in stabilising the innings while batting with the tail against a softer ball. Still, Rahul is expected to open in Perth as was seen during recent match simulations.
