As India prepares for the crucial second Test against New Zealand, head coach Gautam Gambhir has publicly backed out-of-form batter KL Rahul, dismissing social media criticism regarding his performance. The match, set to begin on October 24 in Pune, is pivotal for India as they aim to level the series after a disappointing loss in the first Test.
Gautam Gambhir Backs KL Rahul
In a press conference, Gambhir emphasized that the team’s selection decisions are based on internal assessments rather than public opinion. “Social media doesn’t decide playing XI. It is not important what social media or experts think; it is important what team management thinks,” he stated. This statement comes in light of Rahul’s struggles, where he scored just 6 and 12 runs in the first Test.
Despite these setbacks, Gambhir highlighted Rahul’s potential, noting, “He had a decent knock on a tough Kanpur (against Bangladesh) pitch. Yes, he would want to score big runs. And this team management is looking to back him.” This support indicates the management’s commitment to giving Rahul opportunities to regain his form.
Ryan Ten Doeschate Echoes Support for KL Rahul
Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate echoed Gambhir’s sentiments but acknowledged the intense competition for spots in the playing XI. With Shubman Gill returning from injury and Sarfaraz Khan impressing with a century in the last match, the selection process has become increasingly complex. Ten Doeschate remarked, “There’s certainly no concerns about KL; he’s batting nicely and is in a good mental space.” However, he also noted that fitting seven players into six spots presents a challenge.
The assistant coach further elaborated on Rahul’s situation after their discussions post-match: “I went to KL after the last Test and asked him how many balls did you play and miss at? He didn’t play and miss at one ball.” This suggests that while Rahul may not have scored heavily, his technique remains intact.
Eighteen-Team Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Set to Start on October 26
India and KL Rahul Aimng for a Comeback in the Second Test
KL Rahul is going through a bit of a form slump right now. During the First Test against New Zealand, KL registered a 6-ball duck in the first innings and followed it with a 16-ball 12 at a time when the team needed him to bat longer. Before that, he scored just 106 runs against Bangladesh across 3 innings. Despite having played 53 Tests, KL Rahul’s numbers are not impressive. In 91 innings, the right-handed batter has scored just 2981 runs at a meagre average of 33.88.
With India trailing 0-1 in the three-match series, the pressure is mounting. The team needs a victory not only to stay competitive in the series but also to keep their hopes alive for qualification in the World Test Championship final. Gambhir’s faith in Rahul could be crucial as they look to bounce back from their first defeat to New Zealand at home since 1988.
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