Venkatapathy Raju, former India cricketer, joins the fray in support of troubled batter KL Rahul saying he must be given another chance in the aftermath of the dismal showing in the first Test against New Zealand. It was in the 1st Test, KL Rahul failed to make an impact as he registered the score of 0 and 12.

Despite being the only batting failure in both innings for the team, Raju believes experience warrants Rahul another opportunity in the playing XI. More than two years have gone by since Rahul’s form has been particularly rusty. KL Rahul has scored 514 runs in 12 Tests played after 2022 at an average of 25.7 with one century and three fifties. In total he has scored 2,981 runs at an average of 33.87 in 53 matches with eight centuries and 15 fifties.

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Venkatapathy Raju Backs KL Rahul

“I don’t think we should tinker with the playing XI. If I were the captain, I would go with the same side. You need experienced hands in your team. You can’t bench KL Rahul after just one Test match. He is an experienced batter and should play the next Test. There’s no need to panic. India are still on top of the WTC standings. Rohit is a positive captain. He goes in with a positive approach, and he knows that what’s done is done, and now it’s time to level the series. I’m sure he will,” Raju told Times of India.

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“India should think about those five Tests in Australia and not panic. Let’s play KL Rahul in the second Test and give him a chance. He’ll bounce back. He has experience. India just need to pull up their socks. That’s it,” Raju added.

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According to Raju the five Test matches in Australia is very important, he still believes that Rahul has the potential to make a comeback. With India keen to regain momentum in the second Test and not lose a home series for the first time in 11 years, the team is building up to give their best in each department to notch an even better result when the match gets underway on Thursday, October 24, at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune.