Team India skipper Rohit Sharma has endorsed under-fire opener KL Rahul despite his poor form over the recent couple of months. Accepting that there have been talks around Rahul, Rohit made it clear that performer with potential with be given an long run.
30-year-old Rahul has battled for runs in the current Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. In 3 innings, he has registered runs of 20, 17 and 1. In India’s past Test assignment in Bangladesh, he secured a highest score of 23 in four innings, leading the team in Rohit’s absence.
Talk in front of media he folowing India’s 6-wicket win over Australia in Delhi in the 2nd Test on Sunday, February 19, the Indian skipper spred his thoughts on Rahul’s form. He said:
“Of late, there has been lot of talk on his batting. But for us as team management, we always look at the potential of any individual, not just KL. I have been asked in the past about lot of players. If a guy has potential, he will get that extended run.”
The 35-year-old further stated that Rahul has performed some high-quality innings for India in Tests under challenging environment. Rohit detailed:
“It is not just about KL, but anyone. If you look at couple of hundreds, he got outside India [England 2021 and SA 2022], one of the best I have seen from KL, especially the one at the Lord’s.
“Batting on that damp pitch in England, [that too] after losing the toss and put in to bat is never easy. He [Rahul] put a great performance there and Centurion was another one. India won both those games. That is the potential he has.”
Rohit showed that the team management has informed the batter to perform his natural game. He said:
“Of late there have been talks. [But] it was clear from our side that we want him to go out and play his game.”
Rohit Sharma said, “we’re backing KL Rahul, it’s not easy to score on these pitches”.
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) February 19, 2023
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