Asia Cup 2022: Why Can't KL Rahul Get A Long Rope When Others Can, Asks Sunil Gavaskar

KL Rahul should be given a longer rope to get his bearing right, opined Sunil Gavaskar, after the India vice-captain came in for some flak for his scratchy knock of 36 runs in 39 balls in the recent Asia Cup 2022 match against Hong Kong which was played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on August 31.

KL Rahul was heavily criticized for his slow knock against Hong Kong in India’s final Group A match in Dubai. Rahul struggled to get going as he managed just 36 from 39 deliveries. Rahul showed signs of his vintage self by hitting a couple of well-timed sixes but the vice-captain was not able to maintain the tempo throughout the innings.

Before this match, Rahul had gotten out for a golden duck against Pakistan. Notably, Rahul made his comeback into the Indian team against Zimbabwe recently, but only got to bat once in the three-ODI series. He had suffered from a sports hernia after IPL 2022 ended and had to undergo surgery for the same.

I Think KL Rahul Is A Class Act: Sunil Gavaskar

India won the match against Hong Kong as Suryakumar Yadav’s blistering 26-ball 68 not out and Virat Kohli’s 44-ball 59 not helped India to 192/2 after being asked to bat first by HK captain Nizakat Khan. HK, on the other hand, couldn’t get any momentum into their innings after a brilliant powerplay and managed 152/5, to lose by 40 runs.

Sunil Gavaskar, speaking to India Today after the Asia Cup 2022 match against Hong Kong, said KL Rahul deserves a longer rope when other batters have also gotten time to get their form back.

“I think KL Rahul is a class act. With the kind of performance he has had over the years for India… if you give others a long rope, why can’t we give KL Rahul a long rope? He is your vice-captain as well. You give him a long rope because we have all seen what he is capable of in the T20 format,” Sunil Gavaskar said.

“He is coming back from an injury, so that the rhythm is not quite there but the rhythm will come and when it comes, it will be devasting for the opposition,” he added.

Also Read: Asia Cup 2022: You Have To Include Rishabh Pant In Playing XI Somehow – Parthiv Patel