Kevin Pietersen, Saba Karim weigh in on KL Rahul’s ideal batting position: 'Lot of maturity that has come in'

Former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen wants KL Rahul to open for India in the upcoming five-match Test series against England, which starts on 20 June, but Saba Karim, the former BCCI selector, has a different opinion on the matter and a different batting position in mind for Rahul.

With only two more days to go, the speculations and predictions around what could be India’s batting line-up are getting intense. Experts and fans are having very different opinions on who should open alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal and who should bat at No.4.

These speculations, rumours and predictions have been triggered by the retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, which leave two valuable spots vacant in India’s batting order.

Pietersen picks KL Rahul as India’s opener

Legendary England cricketer Pietersen, who is very well aware of the English conditions, feels Rahul must open for India along with Jaiswal, while new Test captain Shubman Gill can be Kohli’s replacement at the No.4 slot. He also predicted Sai Sudarshan and Karun Nair getting into the team for the first Test at Leeds.

“Shubman can decide; wherever Shubman is comfortable batting, he can bat at 3 or 4. KL (Rahul) and Yashasvi will open the batting. I’d have Sai Sudarshan and Karun Nair; that’s your top 5. Potentially at 6, you might look at another batter," Pietersen told Star Sports.

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“I think in English conditions you might have to look at another batter. At the top of my head I don’t know who the other batters are in your squad, but you might have to have a look at another batter, and then Pant can bat at 7, and then you have your four seamers and a spinner.”

Saba Karim wants KL Rahul to bat at No.4

Former selectors and wicket-keeper Saba Karim has a completely different view as he feels KL Rahul is best suited to replace Kohli at No.4 as he possesses the right temperament and skills for the job.

“Well, in the absence of Kohli, Rahul’s role is monumental. And I look at him, as a batter who can bat a number four. Many people have suggested different batting positions, but I feel that KL is ideal to replace or take over, the role of Virat Kohli at number four, because that number four, he can play a dual role of negotiating the early setback if that happens in the Indian side, and then he can carry the innings forward. He does have the right kind of technique. He has done well in England,” Karim told NDTV.

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“He has a temperament. And I think with the past season, season and a half, there is a lot of maturity that has come in. So I think that’s the kind of responsibility with Indian team management.”

There are still two days for coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Gill to finalise the batting order, but one thing is for sure: they have too much expert advice and multiple candidates for the role.