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32-year-old KL Rahul is one of the opening batter options for India in the first Test against Australia, which is scheduled to take place in Perth from November 22.
KL Rahul is one of the opening batter options for India in the Test series against Australia. (Picture Credit: PTI)
KL Rahul was preferred over Sarfaraz Khan in India’s playing XI for the two-match home series against Bangladesh in September 2024, but after he failed to do much with the bat in the two Tests against Bangladesh as well as in the first Test against New Zealand at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, he was dropped from the playing XI.
Rahul’s place in the Indian team was questioned by many fans and experts of the game, but despite that, the 32-year-old right-handed batter managed to retain his spot in India’s 18-member squad picked for the upcoming five-match Test series against Australia.
Ahead of the Indian team’s departure to Australia for the 2024-25 edition of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir has backed KL Rahul to do well for the Rohit Sharma-led side in the tour Down Under.
According to Gambhir, Rahul is one of the opening batter options for Team India in the series, and he can partner Yashasvi Jaiswal at the top if Rohit misses the first Test in Perth due to personal reasons.
“That is the quality of the man. That he can actually bat at the top of the order. He can bat at No. 3. And he can actually bat at No. 6 as well. So, you need quite a lot of talent to be doing these kinds of jobs as well,” Gambhir said.
“He’s kept wickets in one-day format as well. So, imagine how many countries have players like KL who can actually open the batting and can bat at No. 6 as well? I feel that if need be, he can do the job for us. Especially if Rohit is not available for the first Test,” he added.
Rohit is doubtful for the first Test against Australia due to personal reasons. He is reportedly not travelling to Australia with the Indian team as well.
During the presser, Gambhir was asked about Rohit’s availability for the Perth Test, to which he said, “Look, at the moment there is no confirmation, but we guys will let you know exactly what the situation will be. Hopefully, Rohit is going to be available, but everything you want to know, you will before the start of the series.”
