India might have retained the Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2023 by taking a 2-0 lead against Australia in the four-match series, but the form of their opening batter KL Rahul ahead of the probable World Test Championship final is still a matter of concern for the team.
Rahul hasn’t been in great touch for a while and repeatedly failed to impress in the longest format. In the ongoing BGT 2023, he managed to score only 38 runs so far and averages 17 in the last ten innings with just one half-century.
Many former cricketers have been questioning Rahul’s place in the Indian set-up despite his poor run in Test cricket, and the latter has been subject to criticism from fans as well. Following his bad form, the 30-year-old was removed from the post of vice-captain in the red ball format by the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI).
On Sunday, BCCI announced the squad for the final two Tests against the Aussies, but this time there was no “VC” tag beside Rahul’s name as he was in the players list. Although the Indian board hasn’t issued any official statement regarding the Karnataka cricketer’s removal from the post, cricket enthusiasts have speculated that the selectors took the decision in response to his form.
Reacting to Rahul’s removal from the role of deputy to Rohit Sharma, veteran spinner Harbhajan Singh has opined on the possible reason behind the selector’s call. While talking to India Today, he admitted that the decision by the board hints toward the opener getting benched in the third Test, and in-form Shubman Gill would be given a place replacing him instead.
“Yes because he is longer the vice-captain now. The team was just announced now and I feel the reason why he hasn’t been named the vice-captain is because Shubman Gill will be picked for the next match over KL Rahul. Gill has been in terrific form of late, in ODIs and T20Is. He became the super hero and I feel he will definitely get the chance. Also for Rahul, his dismissal today clearly shows that he is going through a rough time. He has a lot of quality and his a big player but his numbers could have been a lot better,” said Harbhajan.
“I consider him as one of the top batters in world cricket, let alone the Indian team. I think it will be good for KL Rahul to take come time off and play some domestic cricket, try and score runs and get his confidence back up. Then bring him back, he is a quality player, there’s no doubt about it,” he added.
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