“KL Rahul got one of the finest centuries I have witnessed first-hand” - Sunil Gavaskar backs under-fire Indian batter ahead of 1st BGT 2024-25 Test
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has backed out-of-form KL Rahul to deliver in the first Test of the five-match series in Perth, which starts on Friday, November 22. Gavaskar recalled how Rahul slammed a ‘fine’ century in South Africa as an opener (123 in the 2021 Centurion Test). Notably, Rahul's last ton in SA came as a middle-order batter (101 in the 2023 Centurion Test).
The reaction came as Rahul was tipped to replace India captain Rohit Sharma, who was unavailable for the opening game due to paternity leave, as Yashasvi Jaiswal’s opening partner.
Sunil Gavaskar told PTI (via India Today):
“KL Rahul got one of the finest centuries that I have witnessed first-hand in South Africa last year opening the batting, so doing so here again won't be an issue for him.”
“Like all batters, he will need some luck at the start and if he gets that he can get the team off to a solid opening,” he added.
As an opener, KL Rahul has 2551 runs in 49 Tests, including seven away centuries. The wicketkeeper-batter, however, failed to deliver for India A in the recently concluded second unofficial Test, returning with scores of 4 and 10 runs.
In Australia, Rahul has 187 runs in five Tests (nine innings) with a high score of 110 in Sydney. The right-hander has returned with scores of 2 and a duck in his only outing in Perth.
“Look at the next one and not think about the previous one” – Sunil Gavaskar says India must move on from their 0-3 drubbing by New Zealand at home
Sunil Gavaskar insisted that India should move on from their home series whitewash by New Zealand. The cricketer-turned-commentator wants the seniors to take the responsibility to ensure the youngsters focus on the present. He said in the same interaction:
“Just like a batter is trained to forget the previous delivery and focus on the next one, so do good teams forget what's happened in the previous Test match and concentrate on the next one."
“With the experience in this team, I am sure they will guide the youngsters to look at the next one and not think about the previous one,” he added.
Team India must win the Test series by a good margin against Australia in their pursuit of qualifying for the World Test Championship (WTC) final. The tourists can also complete a hat-trick of series win Down Under.