[Watch] KL Rahul spends quality time in the nets at WACA, Perth ahead of 2024-25 Border Gavaskar Trophy
KL Rahul spent quality time batting in the nets at the Western Australia Cricket Association (WACA) Stadium in Perth ahead of the upcoming 2024-Border Gavaskar Trophy. The wicketkeeper-batter was seen working on his front foot following his forgetful outing for India A in the second unofficial Test against Australia A in Melbourne, where he returned with scores of 4 and 10.
The 32-year-old was also dismal with the bat in his only game against New Zealand where he returned with a duck and 12 in his two outings, respectively.
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However, Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir has confirmed that KL Rahul remains one of the options to open in Perth if regular captain Rohit Sharma misses the opening game. While backing Rahul despite his poor form, Gambhir said in a press conference (via ESPNcricinfo):
"Imagine how many countries have players like KL who can open the batting and can bat at No. 6 as well? So, I feel if need be, he can do the job for us, especially if Rohit is not available for the first Test match."
As an opener, KL Rahul has amassed 2551 runs in 75 Test innings at an average of 34.95, including seven centuries and 12 fifties. Abhimanyu Easwaran and Shubman Gill are among other options to open with Yashasvi Jaiswal in the first Test.
[Watch] Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal begin their preparations for Border Gavaskar Trophy
Apart from KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal were also seen working on their batting ahead of the Border Gavaskar Trophy Down Under.
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Pant, in particular, was the hero behind India’s 2-1 series win during the 2020-21 Border Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. The left-handed batter amassed 274 runs in five innings at an average of 68.50, including two half-centuries. He slammed an unbeaten 89 at the Gabba in Brisbane to help India seal the series 2-1.
The wicketkeeper-batter has been in tremendous form since his return to the format after a 1.5-year-long hiatus due to multiple injuries in a car accident. The southpaw has amassed 422 runs in his last five Tests, including a century against Bangladesh. He slammed back-to-back fifties against New Zealand in his last two outings.
On the other hand, Jaiswal is the leading run-scorer for India in the World Test Championship cycle. The 22-year-old has amassed 1407 runs in 26 innings, hitting two double centuries. He is only behind erstwhile England captain Joe Root (1750 runs in 19 Tests) for most runs on the list.