KL Rahul has scored 597 runs as a opener in England in 16 innings. But the former selector Krishnamkhari Srikanth wants him to claim the claim on 4 vacated by Virat Kohli.
11 years, 58 matches in Test cricket, four changes in batting position: KL Rahul has abolished everyone. Now when both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli retired from Test cricket, they can finally claim a spot and cement. In the last year, Rahul has played as a opener, at number 3, number 4 and number 6. But with the opening of a new chapter with the India vs England Test, he could finally claim a place, as Chris Gayle suggested.
Continuous changes in the situation were also brought to inconsistent demonstrations from Rahul. In five trials in Australia, he took an average of 30.66, including two half -centuries. Rahul was mostly opened to India, batting at number 3 in the Melbourne Test, along with Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Should KL Rahul open in England?
As a opener, KL Rahul has played in 83 innings, scoring 2803 runs at an average of 35.04. But when India had last visited England last time, Rahul excelled as a opener, with a century in Lord’s and 84 runs in Nottingham. He finished the tour with 315 runs at an average of 39.37. Overall, in England, KL Rahul played 18 innings, scoring an average of 34.11, including two centuries and one and a half centuries. Then the question is whether India should change its batting position again?
Probably not. With Rohit Sharma’s retirement, India will need a solid opener with experience in England. KL Rahul has already done this. He should be a batting opening with Yashasvi Jaiswal. Shubman Gill, who does not yet find his foot in Test cricket, will lead India in England, batting at number 4 in place of Virat Kohli. And now it is time for KL Rahul to raise his hand and say, ‘Enough, give me the initial place’, as Chris Gayle urged.
“He is playing a team game. And I know he is doing this for the team, as he has said in an interview. He is a bats where the captain wants him. But I think he should stand firmly and say, ‘Listen, captain, coach, this is my position,” Chris Gayle told Insidesport in a special interview.
KL Rahul in England
| Batting position | Inn | Run | HS | Avenue | 100 | 50 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| overall | 18 | 614 | 149 | 34.11 | 2 | 1 |
| As a opener | 16 | 597 | 149 | 37.31 | 2 | 1 |
| But not | 2 | 17 | 13 | 8.50 | 0 | 0 |
What about the middle order?
KL Rahul has performed well in Odis, batting at number 4 and number 5. He has not scored an average of 56.48 and 55.80. Former chief selector Krishnamcharri Srikanth wants KL Rahul to bat on 4.
“In Test cricket, on the question about India’s next number 4, for me, KL Rahul should be given this position. He can proceed in India’s lynchpin Test cricket. He has got the right technology, and the management should give him a definite role,” Srikanth said on his YouTube channel.
However, in trials, he has not batted in several innings in the middle-order. He is an experienced opener. And now there is a chance for India to continue the innings.
KL Rahul in the test according to the batting position
| Batting position | Inn | Run | average | 100 | 50s | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial | 83 | 2803 | 35.04 | 7 | 14 | 199 |
| No. 3 | 7 | 112 | 16 | 0 | 1 | 54 |
| No 4 | 2 | 108 | 54 | 0 | 1 | 86 |
| No 6 | 9 | 234 | 29.25 | 1 | 1 | 101 |
| overall | 101 | 3257 | 33.58 | 8 | 17 | 199 |
Editor’s choice
Will cricket foreign players return to IPL 2025? CSK, PBKS, SRH & DC provide update
Top stories
