Brad Hogg, former Australian left-arm unorthodox spinner believes KL Rahul can be the perfect No.6 batsman for India in Tests. In the five Tests that KL Rahul has played in Australia, he has scored only 187 runs at a modest average of 20.77 with 1 ton.
However, the 28-year-old has been in devastating form in white-ball cricket over the past 1 year which prompted Brad Hogg to say that KL Rahul deserves a second chance to prove himself in Test cricket and can be an ideal No.6 for India.
Brad Hogg: KL Rahul Should Be Given A Chance
Indian skipper Virat Kohli will head back to India after the first Test’s conclusion for his first child’s birth. Brad Hogg suggested that India stick with KL Rahul at No.6 and replace Virat Kohli with Shubman Gill at No.4.
He did not specify whether he wanted KL Rahul to be India’s wicketkeeper in Tests or if he should replace Hanuma Vihari in the line-up. The 27-year-old Hanuma Vihari justified his position in XI by scoring a hundred in the pink-ball practice game against Australia A which means it would be unfair for him to be replaced by KL Rahul who was recalled after good performances in limited-overs cricket and IPL 2020 where he was leading run-scorer.
“I think KL Rahul should be given a chance. The last time that he came over to Australia, he didn’t do well. He is confident, he is rearing to go, and I think he will be the perfect No.6 for India. When Virat Kohli goes, you keep KL Rahul at No.6 and put Shubman Gill at No.4,” Brad Hogg said in a video on his YouTube channel.
KL Rahul last played his 36th and last Test in August 2019 against West Indies. He averages 34.59 with the bat failing in the last four Test series where he averaged less than 30 in each of them.
Brad Hogg Predicts Australia Will Win Tests 2-1 In Absence Of Virat Kohli And Having Advantage Of Playing And Winning More Day-night Tests
Brad Hogg believes Australia have an advantage in Virat Kohli’s absence as he thinks the absence of Virat Kohli will create a huge void in the Indian batting line-up. He also stated Australia have more experience of playing with the pink ball compared to India. Australia have won all of their seven pink ball day-night Tests while India have played only 1 test and won it against minnows Bangladesh.
Brisbane too has been a happy hunting ground for the hosts Australia. Thus, the 49-year-old reckons Australia might win both the pink-ball Test at Adelaide and the Brisbane Test.
“I think no Kohli puts a lot of pressure on this Indian series. He is the stalwart at No.4. He has such a great record. I think it is going to be a big hole to fill. The reason why I think Australia are going to win 2-1 is because they have got the advantage with the pink-ball. Brisbane is a huge advantage as well,” Brad Hogg predicted.
The first Test between the two sides India and Australia will be played from December 17 at Adelaide. Both teams will be looking to start the series on a winning note and take that much-needed momentum into the rest of the series comprising of three more Tests at Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane next.