Gautam Gambhir goes No Holds Barred on KL Rahul's future in team India

India head coach Gautam Gambhir defended KL Rahul's selection in India's squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. Gambhir named the advantages of having a player like Rahul in the squad who is versatile enough to bat at any position.

When asked about India's opening combination in the absence of Rohit Sharma, Gautam Gambhir did not specify which batter is ahead. However, he claimed that India will try the best possible combination among the available opening batters - KL Rahul, Abhimanyu Easwaran, and Shubman Gil.

Since Rohit Sharma is likely to be unavailable for a Test match due to paternity leave, one of the players will have to move up the order to partner Yashasvi Jaiswal. While it is not confirmed yet, the decision will be taken in a few days.

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Gautam Gambhir explains KL Rahul's role in India's Test team

Gautam Gambhir attended a press conference before India's departure to Australia for the five-match Test series. He answered some tough questions from the media, especially after India's recent performances in the red-ball format.

The former India opener claimed that Rahul's experience can prove to be benefecial for India. According to Gambhir, Rahul is a versatile batter who can open and bat at any spot in the batting line-up. Additionally, Rahul is a makeshift wicketkeeper too and can move up to open in case Rohit Sharma is unavailable.

"There are times you go with experienced players as well. He (KL Rahul) can bat at the top, middle order and at No. 6 as well. He can keep wicket; can do the job for us if Rohit is not available for the 1st Test," Gautam Gambhir said.

"We will try and get the best combination – be it KL, Gill or Easwaran", Gautam Gambhir added.

Players who can replace Rohit Sharma at the top

Gambhir has named three options who can replace Rohit Sharma during his unavailability. Those three players are KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, and Abhimanyu Easwaran. All these players have opened in the past and have a good amount of experience of opening in red-ball cricket.

Shubman Gill started his Test career as an opener before moving down the order at No. 3 to accomodate the opening pair of Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Abhimanyu Easwaran is yet to make his Test debut but has been performing well in domestic cricket for a long time now.

KL Rahul's versatality as a batter

Meanwhile, KL Rahul started his Test career as an opener too. His first Test hundred came in Sydney as an opening batter. However, injuries and poor form has not made his career smooth.

He was moved down to the middle order earlier this year during the Test series against England. Rahul proved his versatility and played an eye-catching knock in the middle order.

Since Rohit is likely to be unavailable, for at least one Test, Rahul can move up as a temporary opener. He has loads of experience of opening in domestic cricket as well. Being a wicketkeeper, KL Rahul also provides the team with an extra option to take the gloves.

The first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy will be played in Perth from November 22. The next four Tests of the series will be played in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney. The second Test in Adelaide will be the only day-night Test of the series.