Five Players Who Can Replace KL Rahul In ICC Champions Trophy
Jan 9, 2019 at 4:09 PM
Even before the start of the ICC Champions Trophy, Team India is set to suffer a huge setback as KL Rahul’s participation in the tournament is looking very bleak.
The right-handed batsman, who is currently sidelined with a shoulder injury, revealed he is unlikely to regain full fitness in time for the Champions Trophy that begins from June 1 in England.
The 27-year old injured his left shoulder during the first Test against Australia in Pune but played the whole series with pain. (READ: KL Rahul Rules Himself Out Of ICC Champions Trophy)
Considering the form Rahul had during the series against the Aussies, where he scored 393 runs with the help of 6 fifties, his absence will be badly felt by the Men in Blue. But there is very little they can do in this regard except finding the apt replacement.
So Here are five players poised to take Rahul’s place in the upcoming Champions Trophy:
Shikhar Dhawan:
The discarded opener is looking like the front-runner to partner Rohit Sharma at the top. An indifferent performance with the bat in 2016 saw him losing his place in the playing eleven but he has looked in good touch in the ongoing Indian Premier League and might get the ticket for England.
In six matches so far, he has scored 205 runs including a half-century and moreover, his proven track record in ICC events can also tilt the balance in his favour. He was one of India’s most impressive performers when they lifted the trophy four years ago in England and also had a good outing in the 2015 World Cup in Australia.
Ajinkya Rahane:
Rahane is yet to replicate his Test form in the coloured jersey but an experienced campaigner like him has a good chance to open the innings for India in the upcoming tournament. He was given a chance to prove his credentials as an opener during the New Zealand series but failed miserably. He managed to score only 143 runs in five outings.
But considering his track records as an opener in the Indian Premier League and his overseas performances in recent times, he is also a good contender to grab the opening spot.
Gautam Gambhir:
The veteran batsman, who last played an ODI way back in 2013, is another name that the selectors can consider for the upcoming event.
A player, who has always performed during the big occasions, Gambhir was recalled to the Test team last year after a gap of three years but failed to grab the chance. However, the southpaw has looked in good form in the ongoing Indian Premier League where he has scored 196 runs in 5 matches with the help of 2 half-centuries.
Rishabh Pant:
Considered as the next big thing in Indian cricket, Pant has been turning heads with his extraordinary exploits with the bat in the domestic circuit. The 19-year old grabbed the attention when he scored a belligerent 308 off 326 balls against Maharashtra in Ranji Trophy last year. He followed it up with a 48-ball hundred against Jharkhand, one of the fastest first-class centuries by an Indian. He finished Ranji Trophy as its fourth-highest run-getter with 972 runs in only 8 outings including four centuries and a couple of fifties.
He recently made his T20I debut against England and his performances in the ongoing Indian Premier League is another proof that he can be a good option for the opening slot.
Sanju Samson:
Another highly-rated player who has the potential to become Indian cricket’s flag-bearer, Sanju Samson can be another good option for the opening spot. The Kerela youngster recently became the second youngest player to score an IPL century when he blasted 103 off just 63 balls against Rising Pune Supergiant earlier this month.
He is looking in good touch in the ongoing league and has so far scored 215 runs at an impressive average of 43. He was also included in India’s ODI squad for the series in England in 2014 and given his current form, he can expect another call from the selectors.