 "KL Rahul after getting dismissed for 42 in the 1st Test against England. Image: AFP")
Former India cricketer Deep Dasgupta believes KL Rahul has not been managed properly over the years in Test cricket. Speaking on Star Sports ahead of the first Test between India and England, Dasgupta said it is time the Indian team gives Rahul a fixed role and backs him in it rather than constantly shifting his position.
KL Rahul has never had a fixed position in the Indian Test team, or for that matter, in any team. He has always been asked to juggle his slots in the batting, especially in India colours. Deep Dasgupta pointed this out before the first Test match between India and England and urged the new team management to give Rahul a fixed spot.
Deep Dasgupta points out unfair treatment of KL Rahul
“See, I just hope they give him a permanent position now. He made his debut in 2014. It’s been more than a decade, but we still don’t know where does he fit into the Indian Test side? Is he a middle-order batter? Is he an opener? I think it’s about time to tell him, ‘KL, you’ve got to play this series or whatever, and you’re going to play as an opener. This is what you’re going to do. And I think once you give him that position, that security, we will see a different KL Rahul,” Dasgupta said.
“As of now, in every series, Virat Kohli’s absence felt even before first ball is bowled in IND vs ENG Test: ‘Moved on from Gavaskar, Sachin but…’ it’s like KL Rahul is trying to cement his position from one series to the next. You need a wicketkeeper in South Africa, call him. You need a No. 5, call him. Opener? Yes. So that’s something I think is being quite unfair on him. It’s been a decade now. Come on. Give him that series, maybe more than that and tell him this is how we are looking at you - as an opener - and play him,” he added.
However, former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar had a different view. He said Rahul hasn’t been consistent enough to get a permanent spot in the Indian team.
“Am I allowed to contradict? I will be nice. I believe KL Rahul has not shown the kind of consistency that’s expected of him at any position. Had this been a guy who averaged 52 as an opener, nobody would dare drop him to No. 4 or 5. Having said that, huge responsibility on him. And Deep, given your assessment of leaving the balls, we’ll see how Rahul goes about it today,” Manjrekar said.
Rahul scored 42 off 78 balls in the first Test against England before getting out to Brydon Carse while playing a drive. India posted a strong total of 359/3 in 84 overs on Day 1 of the opening Test.