In Support of KL Rahul: Head Coach Gautam Gambhir Stands by Struggling Player Ahead of Second Test vs NZ

New Delhi: KL Rahul is under the spotlight after India's defeat to New Zealand in the first Test of their three-match series at Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru last week. This loss ended New Zealand's 33-year dry spell against India in Test cricket and has ignited discussions about Rahul's place in the team, especially with Sarfaraz Khan's outstanding 150-run performance in the second innings.

Shubman Gill has overcome neck stiffness and is poised to return to the batting lineup at number three, creating a competitive scenario for KL Rahul and Sarfaraz Khan as they vie for the remaining spot. Although India has not finalized their playing XI, head coach Gautam Gambhir’s remarks indicate that the management remains committed to supporting KL Rahul despite the significant criticism surrounding his performance.

“You don’t pick players on social media because of social media or for that matter even what the experts are saying. What the team management thinks and what the leadership group thinks is very, very important. Ultimately, everyone is judged. International cricket is all about being judged, to be honest, because everyone’s performance will be judged eventually.

“But I feel that he [Rahul] is batting really well. Obviously, he has had a decent knock in Kanpur [against Bangladesh] obviously, on a difficult wicket. And obviously, he played according to the plans as well. And I am sure, I think, he would also be knowing that he wants to score big runs and he has that capability of scoring runs. That’s why he has been backed by the team management,” the India head coach said.

Interestingly, there may be a decision to make between Kuldeep Yadav and the newly added Washington Sundar for a spot in the playing XI, as the hosts seek additional depth in batting. Furthermore, Gambhir noted that Sundar’s inclusion in the squad was strategic, aimed at countering the left-handed Kiwi batters.

“We just felt that probably they [New Zealand] have four or five left-handers in the playing XI. That if we want to have another bowler who can take the ball away from the left-handers, it is always going to be useful for us. But we haven’t yet decided what is going to be the playing XI. We believe that probably there are two [left-hand] opening batters and Rachin [Ravindra] in the middle order. So, we feel that if Washy can give us more control in the middle, it is always going to be good for us,” he added.