The last time Australia tour had last visited India in 2017, KL Rahul bagged six half-centuries, with a total of 393 runs. He stood there as the overall third-highest run-scorer in that series. Even while facing the lows in 2018, he somehow managed to score 149 runs in Oval. After returning to the Test in 2021, he secured another ton at Lord’s, followed by the one in Centurion. This somehow cemented his spot in Test eleven once again. But after six years since their last visit, with Australia returning to India, Rahul’s position stays uncertain in India’s playing XI.
With Shubman Gill emerging out of the ashes, it has opened the door of debate regarding Rahul opening the innings. The team may push Rahul down to the middle order as well in the first Test in Nagpur. However, amidst all the discussions, Rahul finally broke his silence.
Rahul primarily has been playing the role of opening batter in Tests for India. He played as an opener in 42 of the 45 Test matches he’d played so far. He has 2513 runs in his white pockets, with a steady average of 35.90 and seven tons. It was in 2014, when he played in the middle-order, in Melbourne against Australia. There he got dismissed for just three runs.
KL Rahul gave hints on India’s probable XI
Shubman Gill has been in sensational form. Even, stalwarts like Harbhajan Singh have supported Gill’s opening, will captain Rohit Sharma? They opted for Rahul to come in the middle order.
Rahul however, on Tuesday, in the press conference before Nagpur Test, said,
“If the team wants to me to bat in the middle, I am ready to do it.”
Rahul said,
“There will be a temptation to play three spinners because of the turning track in India but we would know the pitch on the day of the game. Not decided on playing XI, tough decision, couple of vacancies are there.”
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