The much-awaited Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia will be starting on Thursday at the VCA stadium in Nagpur. With there being ample talk about the pitch, India’s playing XI seems to be a whole new mystery altogether. Amid all this hoopla, legendary Indian skipper, Kapil Dev has raised an interesting point about vice-captain KL Rahul, who has been receiving support from the team management but hasn’t been able to do justice to it.
Furthermore, to add more intrigue, it is likely that Rahul will be opening alongside skipper, Rohit Sharma, which leaves no room for Shubman Gill. Rahul has just played four Tests since the beginning of 2022 with just one half-century, which has forced Kapil Dev to raise questions about his place in the team. He reckons that although he is fond of Rahul the batter, the management shouldn’t thrust him into the XI if he doesn’t warrant a place or if it disrupts the team combination.
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During a recent chat with Uncut, Kapil Dev said, “Why can’t he be dropped? There should be no such rule. You need to look at team combination, who do we need. There is no necessity. In Indian cricket, I don’t think there is ever a vice-captain. Back in the day, we had a new VC in every Test match. He is a very mature player; I even like him.”
He further added, “I consider him to be a fine batter but if he doesn’t fit in the team, then let it be. The team comes first and I guess for that the captain and the management need to take a call. Some players are lucky. Rahul Dravid played many such matches where he was made to keep wicket.”
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In ODIs, KL Rahul has been pushed down the middle order, but coach Rahul Dravid expects a similar role from him in Tests remains to be seen. On current form, Gill should undoubtedly be the one to open as he has been scoring centuries like a walk in the park in recent times in ODIs and T20Iss. Another interesting dynamic that Rahul brings to the team is the wicketkeeping bit.
