Aakash Chopra Questions India’s Plans With KL Rahul!! Demands Rishabh Pant’s Inclusion

The former Indian opener, Aakash Chopra, was shocked at India’s approach to the batting position of KL Rahul during the opening ODI of the three-match series against England at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur.

Karnataka's opener has not found the same rhythm in the 50-over format. He was India’s third leading run-getter during the 2023 ODI World Cup at home with the help of 452 runs in 10 innings at an average of 75.33 and a strike rate of 90.76, shouldering on two half-centuries and one century at the best score of 102.

KL Rahul struggles to find form in Nagpur

With the absence of Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer walked out at number three in Nagpur for England. The management demoted Gill to number three after the team management decided to hand over Yashasvi Jaiswal a debut.

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India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, cleared that Rahul would keep wickets for the series ahead of Rishabh Pant, who missed the last ODI World Cup due to an injury from an unfortunate accident. But questions have been raised around Rahul’s batting position.

The Mumbai batter also reckoned that the management decided to send the left-arm batter, Axar Patel, at number five because the plan was to keep the left-right combination in the middle against the spinners. Axar enjoyed the promotion and drilled a fine half-century, but Rahul struggled for his two runs in nine balls during their four-wicket victory.

Aakash Chopra shocked at team management’s approach to KL Rahul

Aakash Chopra has questioned India’s plans to send Rahul at number six in the batting order just because a left-arm spinner and a leg-spinner were operating with the ball for the Jos Buttler-led side.

Rahul has smashed just 44 runs at number six in three innings at an ODI average of 22 with the best score of 31. While at number five, his average is 57.23 with the help of 1259 runs in 30 innings at a strike rate of 95.45, thanks to nine fifties and two centuries.

“What are we going to do with Rahul? It's an important talking point. It's slightly intriguing. Jacob Bethell and Adil Rashid were bowling. So you didn't send Rahul. Okay fine!! But you played Rahul ahead of Pant. However, are you going to show that much faith in Rahul?” Aakash Chopra, the renowned commentator, questioned whether the Indian management would keep on showing the same faith in the veteran.

“You haven't done that thus far because there were three matches in Sri Lanka, the first match got tied, you lost the second match, and you dropped him in the third match. Rishabh Pant played in the third match.” He added.

Aakash Chopra points out India’s missed opportunity in Nagpur

Rishabh Pant replaced KL Rahul during the third of the three-match ODI series in Sri Lanka last year. In the same video, Chopra opined that the home side could have looked to play both Rahul and Pant in the first ODI after Kohli’s absence.

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“There was an opportunity here to play both of them together. If you needed a left-hander, you could have sent Rishabh Pant first, and then KL Rahul could have followed. If a left-arm spinner or a leg-spinner comes, you will send Rahul too low in trying to maintain a left-right combination.” Aakash Chopra highlighted.

Chopra also claimed that at least the management should have allowed Rahul to bat at his usual position to gain confidence and prove himself before the Champions Trophy.

“KL Rahul was dropped the last time he played white-ball cricket, and he hasn't played white-ball cricket, after that. He was dropped in Test cricket as well and then you made him open, and after that, you sent him down the order. You should have allowed him to play now. You would have at least come to know whether he is in form or not.” Aakash Chopra concluded.