Pravin Amre, former Indian cricketer opines that KL Rahul could take this opportunity in Virat Kohli’s absence and resurrect his Test career as India won’t have the services of regular captain Virat Kohli for the rest of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy as Virat Kohli heads home to attend the birth of 1st child.
According to Pravin Amre, India will definitely miss Virat Kohli, the batsman in particular, but every challenge also presents an opportunity for other cricketers in the squad to step up and deliver in his absence.
Pravin Amre: India Are Going To Miss Virat Kohli As Batsman
In a Facebook interaction with Sportskeeda’s Indranil Basu on SK Live, Pravin Amre admitted Virat Kohli’s absence will leave a hole in the Indian batting line-up as India will miss him both as skipper and batting mainstay.
He stated: “Definitely we are going to miss Virat Kohli as a batsman. During the last tour, we created history by winning the (Test) series in Australia. The role played by Virat as a batman, and not just as captain, was very important. He is India’s run machine.”
At the same time, Pravin Amre, who famously made a Test century on debut against South Africa at Durban in 1992, believes that KL Rahul cannot get a better opportunity to prove himself in Tests after an outstanding and consistent performance in white-ball limited-overs cricket.
He asserted: “This is an opportunity for KL Rahul, because he also lost his place from Team India (Test team). I think this is the biggest opportunity for him. We all know how good he has been with the white ball. He was the highest run-scorer in the IPL, getting Orange Cap.”
KL Rahul has scored 670 runs in 14 games in IPL 2020 and was the highest scorer in recently concluded IPL. He played his last Test way back in 2019 August against and in West Indies. He has played 36 Tests and scored 2006 runs averaging 34.59 so far.
The 28-year-old batsman who can do wicket-keeping job as well debuted in 2014 in Tests and has featured in only 35 ODIs, 36 Tests and 45 T20Is. He averages around 44-45 in limited-overs but his average drops down considerably in Tests. In the last few Test series, his average was less than 30. His average was a dismal 7.5 against South Africa in 2018 and 11.4 against Australia in 2018 which led to his snub from Tests.
Pravin Amre: KL Rahul Has Opportunity To Show His Class
The 52-year-old further added that KL Rahul has all the attributes like the right basics and temperament to succeed in the Test format as well.
Pravin Amre further said: “I have seen KL Rahul closely. In the beginning years, he got more than 1000 runs in three back-to-back years in Ranji Trophy. He actually came into the (international) circuit as a longer version player. But, he has developed his game for the shorter version as well, which is a very good sign. I think he has got the right basics and the right temperament.”
“He is hungry to show that he belongs to Team India as an opener. He can’t be sitting outside. And so, this is his opportunity to show his mettle.”
India are on the back foot having conceded a 0-1 lead following the disastrous batting show at Adelaide. They registered the lowest score of 36 in the second innings as Australia won the Test by eight wickets.
As of now, as per latest reports, KL Rahul have to wait longer for Test return as India made 4 changes in playing XI bringing in Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill, Mohammed Siraj and Ravindra Jadeja for 2nd Test at Melbourne. Hanuma Vihari retains his place.