India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir has expressed unwavering support for under-fire batsman KL Rahul, emphasizing his crucial role in India’s plans for the upcoming Border Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.
Gambhir praised Rahul’s versatility, highlighting his ability to bat in various positions and keep wickets in ODIs. “KL Rahul is a rare talent,” said Gambhir. “He can open the batting, bat at No. 3, or even play at No. 6. Not many teams have players with such versatility.”
Rahul’s inclusion in the squad for Australia is contingent on Rohit Sharma’s availability for the first Test. If Sharma is unavailable, Rahul is a strong contender to open the batting alongside Yashaswi Jaiswal.
However, Rahul’s recent performances have raised concerns. He was dropped after the first Test against New Zealand and sent to Australia early to join the India ‘A’ squad for practice. His performance in the second unofficial Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground was disappointing, with a total of just 14 runs in two innings.
Despite Rahul’s struggles, Gambhir remains confident in his abilities. “He is one of the options to open the batting if Rohit is not available,” said Gambhir. “We are still weighing our options.”
The coach also addressed the question of Rohit Sharma’s availability for the first Test. “There is no confirmation yet,” said Gambhir. “Hopefully, he will be available. We will know more before the start of the series.”
In the event of Sharma’s absence, Jasprit Bumrah will lead the side as vice-captain.
