Indian captain Rohit Sharma came out in full support of teammate and star batter KL Rahul ahead of the start of the hectic Test cricket season.
Team India is set to play ten Test matches until the end of the year including two-match series against Bangladesh, three Tests against New Zealand in October and a five-match tour of Australia starting in November.
The first Test match between India and Bangladesh will begin on September 19, 2024, at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, in Chennai.
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Ahead of the hectic Test cricket season, it is important for the Indian team to sort out its middle order and maintain stability in the core of their batting order.
Rahul, who is one of the most experienced players in the current team will be at the center and key to India’s success.
What did Rohit Sharma say about KL Rahul’s form and his role in the Indian Test team?
Rohit as the India captain was speaking at a press conference ahead of the first Test match in Chennai, where he spoke about various topic and provided key insights into the team’s plans for the upcoming Test season.
When he was asked if India’s middle order had been sorted and if KL Rahul is the strongest contender to feature in the role, Rohit said that the call was “straightforward”, hinting that Rahul’s experience and reputation makes him the top contender to retain the middle order role.
“Some things are very straightforward, and we don’t need to think much about it. When we select the playing eleven, a lot of thought goes behind what people have done for last 2 or 3 series, their form, their reputation of what they have done in the last 15 years, what experience they bring to the table, and what impact they can make in the team,” he said.
“We discuss this based on what we feel is right about an individual player. Somethings are right there in front of you, and we just have to pick them up and put them in the block,” he added.
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‘We know his calibre’ – Rohit Sharma backs KL Rahul to flourish in the upcoming Test cricket series
Further, he went on to sympathize with Rahul’s recent struggles with injuries and form, saying that every player has their highs and lows during the career.
“Look, there are only a handful of players in world cricket who have had a smooth ride since start of cricket as a sport. Only a few have had no issues in their life. Everyone else has their ups and down in their career,” he said.
“The best thing you can do is understand yourself and understand what is expected of you from team. With KL the kind of quality he has, everyone knows he has the calibre.”
Rohit revealed that since taking over the captaincy of the team, he has made sure that there has been clear communication between the management and the players.
“The guy has got the talent. I hope he continues from where he left. He has the skill to play against pace and spin. He has the technique to flourish in Test cricket.”
“After taking over as captain of the team, our message has been simple – we wanted him to play all games and bring the best out of him. It is our duty to give clear message, and we have done that. Since he has come back, he has played some good knocks, got a Hundred in South Africa, 80-odd in Hyderabad and then he got injured and did not play a lot of games after that,” he concluded.
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KL Rahul had last played Tests during the first match of the Test series against England in January 2024, where he scored 86 and 22 at Hyderabad.
With a number of Test matches lined up and with the World Test Championship (WTC) in sight, it is important for Rahul and the team to perform consistently and maintain their form throughout the year, to secure their spot in the WTC 2025 Final next year.
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