Former India cricket team selector Devang Gandhi opined that KL Rahul and captain Shubman Gill were relishing being leaders of the Indian batting line-up in England. The Karnataka star has finally found a fixed place in the playing XI and has taken over the reins from Rohit Sharma as the new opener. Gill, on the other hand, is India’s new number four, filling in the shoes of Virat Kohli.
Rahul, Gill better off than ever before?
Speaking to Times of India, Gandhi pointed out that prior to this series, Rahul never had a fixed batting position as he was sometimes used at number 3 and otherwise at number 6. He said now it was confirmed that he will open and lead the bat and that this was seen in his batting. Rahul and Gill both slammed centuries in the ENG vs IND 1st Test, albeit in a losing cause.
Gandhi further pointed out that both Gill and Rahul were assured of their position in the batting order and this made them feel secure. He pointed out that during his tenure as selector, coach Rahul Dravid would play Gill in the middle-order on India A tours and he had played one of his best first class knocks in that position.
“Both Rahul and Gill are assured of their batting numbers. During our days as selectors, Rahul Dravid played Gill in the middle-order on ‘A’ tours and he played one of his best first-class knocks in the middle-order. They probably feel more secure of their places now. They must be relishing being the leaders in the batting line-up now,” Gandhi said.
India’s top five batters did majority of the run-scoring in Leeds, with Rishabh Pant slamming two back-to-back hundreds while Rahul, Gill and Jaiswal posted a century each. India will next be in action in the 2nd Test which will commence from July 2 onwards.
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