Former India spinner Anil Kumble believes KL Rahul should bat at No. 5 in the batting order despite Axar Patel’s promising displays recently as well. He came to bat in a time of crisis at No. 6 as he scored an important 34-ball 42 in the 2025 Champions Trophy semifinal run chase (265) against Australia as well. However, he hailed Rahul for his match-winning knock and stated that he showcased all his strengths, proving why the No. 5 role is good for him.

“With the kind of innings that he had, we were talking while we were watching that, saying that he should have been ahead of Axar Patel. I know Axar did a good job of getting that partnership with Virat Kohli, but someone like KL Rahul, at that stage, this is what he can do,” Anil Kumble said on ESPNcricinfo.

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“He gets to a 30, he will ensure that the team crosses the line, and he does that consistently. Yes, he missed out on one opportunity in the last game against New Zealand. But, otherwise, KL is a class act, and this will certainly give him a lot of confidence. There is a lot of pressure on him. He does well, it is expected. If he fails even in one innings, then suddenly the whole world comes on top of KL,” he further added.

KL Rahul has also batted in different positions over the years across formats for India.

“Yeah, I do [enjoy batting at the top], I mean I won’t lie. “It’s after opening the batting in Australia in Test matches and having to face that attack in Australia and you know how red-ball [cricket] is much harder. I opened the batting there and then to come here and bat low seems a bit different, but this is how I’ve played white-ball cricket in the last four-five years,” KL Rahul told Star Sports after the win over Australia (via ESPNcricinfo). “So, I’m quite used to going up and down the order so I’m just happy getting a chance to play in the middle and whatever role is given,” he added.