Gautam Gambhir's dirty politics against KL Rahul exposed by World Cup winner

Former India cricketer Kris Srikkanth has lashed out at head coach Gautam Gambhir for not making KL Rahul bat at No.5 in the ongoing ODI series against England National Cricket Team. He said that it's unfair with the keeper-batter and he might end up warming the bench in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

India National Cricket Team batter Rahul arguably is one of the unluckiest players in Indian cricket. The keeper-batter, despite being successful, hasn't got the longer rope at the position where he has scored a lot of runs, especially in the ODIs.

KL Rahul has been asked to bat at No.6 and 7 in the ongoing England series

This has been evident in the ongoing ODI series against England National Cricket Team. Rahul, who has an average of over 50 at 5, hasn't got an opportunity to bat in the same position. He has been asked to bat at No.6 and 7, which surely has hampered his game.

Axar Patel was promoted ahead of KL Rahul in both games, and he cashed in the opportunity. But for keeper-batter, the new position hasn't been fruitful. He managed just 2 runs in the first innings and then got a score of 10 in the second game in Cuttack.

What they are doing with KL Rahul is not fair - Kris Srikkanth

Kris Srikkanth was unhappy with KL Rahul being asked to bat down the order. He expressed his discomfort over the same, adding that Gautam Gambhir cannot justify sending Rahul at 6 by saying left-right combination. Speaking in a video posted on his YouTube channel, he said:

"Shreyas Iyer is in good form, which is a positive for India. But I feel for KL Rahul, it’s very unfortunate. Yes, Axar Patel is scoring 30s and 40s, but what they are doing with KL Rahul is not fair. Look at his record; he has excelled at No. 5 with a brilliant record. I don’t know what the team management is thinking regarding his position. If he bats at No. 6 or 7, he ends up scoring 6 or 7. It’s unfair,"

"Hey, Gambhir, what you are doing is not right. Yes, depending on the situation, India can send Axar at No. 5, but it cannot be a consistent strategy. If you keep making such changes, you know what will happen—there will be a crucial match where everything falls apart. That’s what worries me. You can’t justify it by talking about the left-right combination. Does that mean you don’t care about a left-right combination in the top four? Why does it only matter at No. 5?"

KL Rahul might end up warming the bench again - Kris Srikkanth

Kris Srikkanth stressed that by pushing KL Rahul down the order, they are undermining his confidence. He added that team management might play Rishabh Pant in the third ODI and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and drop Rahul from the team. He added:

"I have no issue with Axar Patel—he is making the most of his chances. But if you’re pushing Rahul down the order, then play Rishabh Pant at No. 6. Why undermine Rahul’s confidence? Is it fair to a player who has performed brilliantly in world cricket?"

"Now, what you’ve done is you’ve sidelined Rishabh Pant as well. One of them has to play. I have a feeling Pant will feature in the third ODI and then in the Champions Trophy too. Rahul might end up warming the bench again. You should play your best player at No. 5, regardless of whether he is left-handed or right-handed."

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