Former India player Sanjay Manjrekar has opposed KL Rahul replacing captain Rohit Sharma at the top in the first Test of the upcoming Border Gavaskar Trophy in Perth, starting November 22 as well. However, Rohit has been ruled out of the series opener after his wife gave birth to their second child recently as well.

During a conversation with ESPNcricinfo, Manjrekar said, “It’s not like KL Rahul as an opening option is setting the stage on fire. Going by the reality, KL Rahul currently you can see, you’ve got to feel for him, I love him as a player the kind of talent he has. He looks a bit down on confidence and you don’t want someone like him batting at the top of the order because much of the tempo of the innings is set at the start number 1,2 and 3.”

ALSO READ: “Shubman’s captaincy is very good” – Ravi Bishnoi on Shubman Gill

However, Sanjay Manjrekar also believes KL Rahul should stick to No. 6 for his ability to bat with the tail-enders against the softer ball as well. The veteran right-handed batter has batted at No. 6 for India in five of his last six Tests, yet his overall average at the position is under 30 as well.

“I’m going by KL Rahul for the work he’s done down the order and very recently in South Africa. He was batting at number six with a softer Kookaburra ball and if he has to bat with the tailenders, I feel he will be terrific where he’s got the big game as well. So I see KL better used and more chances of KL Rahul adding value to the team at that position,” Sanjay Manjrekar concluded.