Indian management’s choice to use KL Rahul in middle-order leaves Aakash Chopra confused

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra is surprised with team management’s decision of using KL Rahul in middle-order. After knowing about the injury of Shubman Gill, the Indian team management is confused about the replacement. The management had also requested BCCI to send Prithvi Shaw and Devdutt Padikkal for the upcoming series against England. 

The Indian cricket board clearly stated that the team management would not seek any replacement for Shubman Gill. The youngster has been ruled out of the five-Test series in England due to shin splints that will take a minimum of three months to heal. Shubman Gill is going to stay with the team in England. Physio Nitin Patel and strength and conditioning coach Sohum Desai are going to monitor his progress.

I thought KL Rahul was always a backup opener, but apparently, he is not: Aakash Chopra

The Indian team management has hinted at bringing Mayank Agarwal at the top order alongside senior batsman Rohit Sharma. Talking about KL Rahul, the batsman might be shifted in the middle-order due to his success in the shorter formats. Mayank could be the first choice as he has scored 1052 runs in the most extended format of the game. On the contrary, KL Rahul last played a Test in 2019. The Karnataka batsman has slightly fallen back in the pecking order. 

Aakash Chopra believes this will not be a good move, as Rahul has a great record while opening for India in the Tests. The Karnataka batsman has played the majority of his matches as an opening batsman. Thus, this makes Aakash Chopra a bit confused about how KL Rahul can fit in the middle-order. The 43-year-old further reckoned that KL Rahul feels comfortable at the top in the most extended format, and all his five tons have come while facing the new ball. Aakash Chopra signed off by saying that he has failed to understand the logic as KL Rahul was included in the team as a backup opening batsman, but now he isn’t one.

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