KL Rahul at No. 3: India's mantra for Test success in England
The most awaited series between India and England is all set to commence from August 1. Both teams would be eager to win the ultimate prize and mark their name on the coveted Pataudi Trophy. This is an opportunity for India to challenge England in their own backyard, but it won't be easy.
England's premier fast bowler James Anderson believes that India's performance in the series will be dependent on the amount of runs scored by Virat Kohli. He also says that Kohli would be lying if he thinks otherwise. Clearly, mind games have already begun and it is an indication of what we could expect throughout the course of the series.
India's batting line-up has developed into a world-class unit. With the likes of Murali Vijay, Ajinkya Rahane and Virat Kohli in good form, India will expect to turn the tables around this time and bring back the Pataudi Trophy. But KL Rahul, who has hit a purple patch, will also be eyeing a berth in the playing XI.
The million dollar question is regarding his batting position. The opening slot looks formidable with a set left-right combination of Murali Vijay and Shikhar Dhawan, while the middle and lower order have automatic selections with Kohli, Rahane and Dinesh Karthik occupying the No. 4, 5 and 6 spots respectively.
The team management will have a big task to make place for Rahul in the playing XI so as to maximize his rich vein of form. Ideally, Rahul should be brought in at No. 3 at the cost of Cheteshwar Pujara.
Pujara has been unsuccessful over the years in foreign conditions and apart from his 153 against South Africa at Wanderers in 2013, there is no major innings for him to put forth his case.
Rahul at 3 and Rahane at 5 will also give the all-important support for Kohli to play freely in the middle, without any pressure.
Rahul has got the right technique and temperament to score runs in any conditions, which he has proven with his performances in the past. His famous hundred in Sydney, back in 2015 against the mighty Australians, is considered to be one of the greatest overseas innings by an Indian.
On the other hand, Pujara has not been able to deliver in challenging conditions where the team expects him to hold one end and score big. His below par county stint in which he scored at an average below his career average shows that he is still not too comfortable in English conditions.
It is clear from the South Africa tour earlier this year that India can win overseas only if they bat well in tough conditions. For that to happen, India should make use of Rahul's form and include him in the playing XI for at least the first three Test matches.
He is someone who plays his shots and keeps the scoreboard moving unlike Pujara, who takes a bit more time to settle and is vulnerable against the moving ball.
India will want to have someone like Rahul in the middle who can make runs at a brisk pace so as to reduce the dependency on Kohli and Rahane in case of an early collapse.