While India recently won the crucial ODI home series against Australia, KL Rahul was one of the big talking points for India, who impressed as a wicketkeeper-batsman. Former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir asks whether Rahul has taken the wicketkeeping role ‘wholeheartedly’. Gambhir also wants to know about Rishabh Pant‘s future.
In the opening game of the recently-concluded home ODI series against Australia, India suffered a crushing defeat by ten wickets after setting the target of 256 runs. However, the hosts never gave up in that series. They not only made a comeback but also won that series in a convincing style.
India levelled the series after winning the second ODI by 36 runs while they also won the third and final ODI of the series by seven wickets to secure the trophy.
Due to concussion during the first ODI of that series, wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant missed out the second innings of that ODI and also the remainder of recently-held series. Thus, Rahul replaced Pant for wicket-keeping duties in that series and impressed one and all.
Recently, after winning that ODI series, the Indian captain Virat Kohli has claimed that they want to see Rahul in this dual role in the forthcoming matches.
Talking on this point, Gambhir feels that the team management needs to be careful about this matter.
Gambhir wrote in his recent column for TOI, “There are few areas in cricket and business which overlap. Let’s talk about KL Rahul, a fantastic human resource for Indian cricket. He has a good attitude, top-class fitness level, an array of strokes and leadership qualities. On a corporate scale, Rahul is an invaluable middle-management asset who can be groomed for bigger roles.
“A concussion break to Rishabh Pant meant that Rahul had to keep wickets too, a task he did with assurance. This has now led to talk that he will continue this dual role in the upcoming limited-overs games. I hope the Indian team’s HR department – selectors and team management – have deliberated carefully on this.”
It’s usually impossible for a young cricketer to say “no” to anything – Gautam Gambhir about KL Rahul’s new role –
Gambhir believes that the team needs to talk with Rahul properly about the new dual role. He has also doubt whether Rahul has taken this wicketkeeper-batsman role with utmost sincerity or not.
Gambhir added, “I want the decision-makers to consider a few aspects. Have they discussed this with Rahul? Is he wholeheartedly performing the role? It’s usually impossible for a young cricketer to say “no” to anything thrown at him without risking getting dropped.”
Gambhir also wants to clarify on team’s latest perception about Pant. The former Indian cricketer believes that Pant’s confidence has gone down due to the constant scrutiny of his technique.
Gambhir claimed, “Second, what happens to Rishabh Pant? I think his confidence is already eroding under the constant scrutiny of his technique. I’m not sure how he will perceive this move. A fair and open-hearted chat with Rishabh will ensure the team performs well both on and off the field. Organisations can ill afford to have a talented but disgruntled youngster in the room.”
Further, the Indian team will now play the bilateral series in New Zealand. Owing to this tour, India will play five-match T20I series, three-match ODI series and two-match Test series against the hosts.
The series will begin with 1st T20I from January 24 in Auckland.