KL Rahul’s state mate Anil Kumble isn’t happy with how the wicketkeeper has been treated by India captain Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir. The former head coach doesn’t feel that KL Rahul should be sent into the middle as low as number six. In the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy, of which India has reached the final, the team management has been sending Axar Patel to bat at KL Rahul’s position of number five.
KL Rahul should play over Axar Patel
This happened in the ICC Champions Trophy semifinal against the semifinal as well. Kumble feels that KL Rahul should have been sent to bat with Virat Kohli. He admits Axar did well, but a player of Rahul’s calibre should be trusted to take the game forward over Axar.
“He should have come ahead of Axar Patel. I know Axar did a good job of getting that partnership with Virat Kohli, but someone like KL Rahul coming in at that stage—and this is what he can do—if he gets to 30, he will ensure that you cross the line,” Kumble said on ESPNcricinfo Match Day.
KL Rahul stats at number 5 in ODIs
| Innings | Runs | Average | Strike Rate | 100s | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 | 1299 | 56.47 | 96.36 | 4 | 9 |
KL Rahul is being put under pressure by team management
Kumble added that by playing with his number so often, KL Rahul‘s confidence has been tanked, and he’s under pressure to perform. One game he fails, and the knives are out. People want him dropped. This happened after he couldn’t do that well against New Zealand as well, but Rahul redeemed himself against Australia by finishing unbeaten on 42.
“There is a lot of pressure on him. If he does well, it’s expected. If he fails even in one innings, suddenly the whole world comes after him. He was under pressure, even with his keeping in the last game, but today he showed what he is capable of. Yes, he missed out on one opportunity in the last game against New Zealand, but otherwise, KL is a class act. This will certainly give him a lot of confidence,” Kumble added.
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