With India’s Test captain Rohit Sharma likely to miss the first one or two matches of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the team is faced with the task of finding a suitable replacement. While Jasprit Bumrah is the frontrunner for the captaincy role, the search for an opening batter is still ongoing.
Shubman Gill is a strong contender for the opening spot, but former Indian cricket legend Anil Kumble believes KL Rahul is a more versatile choice. Kumble praised Gill’s talent and skills, but emphasized the need for a batter who can adapt to different roles, like Rahul.
“Rahul has played for India in various roles, from opening the batting to acting as a finisher at No. 6,” Kumble said. “In the past, Cheteshwar Pujara has also batted at the top of the order when India needed someone to hold one end together. Rahul can do the same.”
Kumble highlighted the importance of having a batter who can control the first session and see off the new ball. “The Kookaburra Ball after the first 25 hours is best to bat between the 30th and 60th overs,” he explained. “Rahul and Pujara have consistently done this throughout their careers, ensuring that the team is safe and the middle-order batters can come in later and score runs.”
While Gill is a talented young player, Kumble believes Rahul’s experience and versatility make him a better choice to replace Rohit Sharma in the first Test. Rahul’s ability to adapt to different roles and his proven track record at the top of the order make him a valuable asset to the Indian team.
