“Imagine how many countries have players like KL” – Gautam Gambhir backs under-fire KL Rahul ahead of Border-Gavaskar Trophy
Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir has backed under-fire KL Rahul amid his lean patch with the bat in Tests ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Gambhir explained the significance of the wicketkeeper-batter by citing his versatility of batting at any position, making him one of the rare players in world cricket.
Notably, KL is coming on the back of 4 and 10 in his two innings for India A against Australia A in the second unofficial Test in Melbourne. The 32-year-old returned with 0 and 12 in the first Test of the three-match series against New Zealand last month.
Gautam Gambhir said in a press conference (via The Times of India):
"KL Rahul can bat in the top order, he can bat at No. 3, he can play at No. 6. So, you need a lot of talent to do all these jobs, and he keeps (wickets) in ODIs. Imagine how many countries have players like KL!"
In 2024, Rahul has scored 234 runs in five Tests, including two half-centuries. The right-handed batter has amassed 187 runs in five Tests (nine innings) at an average of 20.78 with the aid of one century. Overall, he has 68 runs in 11 Tests (19 innings) against the Aussies.
Notably, Rahul is on the verge of completing 3,000 runs in Tests. He has 2981 runs in 53 Tests (91 innings) so far.
“He is one of the options” – Gautam Gambhir says KL Rahul is one of the contenders to open in the Perth Test in Rohit Sharma's absence
Gautam Gambhir added that KL Rahul might end up opening with Yashasvi Jaiswal in the first Test in the opening game in Perth if regular captain Rohit Sharma is unavailable.
“He is one of the options (to open batting) if Rohit is not available (for the first Test),” he said in the press conference.
Rahul has amassed 2551 runs in 75 innings, including seven tons and 12 half-centuries while opening the batting in Tests.
Other than KL Rahul, Shubman Gill might open with Jaiswal. The Punjab batter has 874 runs in 29 Test innings, including two centuries and four half-centuries as an opener.
Abhimanyu Easwaran, who recently scored four consecutive tons in first-class cricket, has been dismal with the bat. The right-handed batter returned with scores of 7, 12, 0, and 17 in his four outings for India A against Australia A. Thus, he is unlikely to get picked over Rahul and Gill.