ICC World Cup 2023: "KL Rahul Can Keep Wickets And Bat Down The Order, Which Probably The Others Can't Do" - Aakash Chopra
Published - 26 Jul 2023, 03:09 PM
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Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra feels that KL Rahul will be one of the crucial batters in the middle order for India in the upcoming ODI World Cup at home. However, Aakash Chopra highlighted KL Rahul’s ability to bat at different positions in the lineup as a disadvantage for him.
KL Rahul, who is recovering from a thigh injury, is expected to be India’s first-choice wicketkeeper in the ODI World Cup. The right-handed batter is expected to regain his full fitness before the start of the Asia Cup 2023, which is considered as preparation for the marquee tournament.
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Will Find He Has The Best Numbers – Aakash Chopra
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra highlighted KL Rahul‘s success with the bat in the middle order for India over the past two years.
“If you see KL Rahul’s numbers whenever he has played at No. 5 in the last two to four years, you will find he has the best numbers,” Chopra said.
“He has done really well. He scores a lot of runs. Sometimes your versatility is not a boon from a personal perspective. For the team, it is important that KL Rahul bats in the middle order,” he added.
The 31-year-old scored 742 runs at an average of 53 in 18 innings at the No.5 position in the 50-over format. Overall, he amassed 1986 runs at an excellent average of 45.13 in 54 ODIs.
KL Rahul Is Asked To Bat Down The Order – Aakash Chopra
The former Indian opener pointed out that KL Rahul’s ability to keep wickets and bat down the order makes him a valuable player for the team.
“If you ask any batter, especially one who has the ability to open, he will say that you should make him open in white-ball cricket.
KL Rahul used to play there as well and was doing decently, but he can keep wickets and bat down the order, which probably the others can’t do. So he is asked to bat down the order,” he further stated.
The LSG skipper will walk straight into the team when he is fit to play. Rahul will be the first-choice wicketkeeper-batter in the absence of injured Rishabh Pant.
Sanju Samson Is There – Aakash Chopra
The cricketer-turned-commentator feels that Sanju Samson can be a backup option for KL Rahul as he has the ability to play a similar role in the team.
“If KL Rahul is not fully fit and available, then what? Then you need an option for him as well. That is an interesting one. Sanju Samson is there, he is also there in this (West Indies) series. So it is an extremely automatic choice.”
“Sanju has batted at an average of around 100 down the order in the ODI format. So you can play him now. It will be an absolute like-for-like replacement. He will bat at No. 5 and keep as well. So Sanju Samson, obviously, should be ahead in the race.”
Sanju Samson scored 330 runs in 11 ODI matches with an impressive average of 66 and a strike rate of 104.76. The right-handed batter smashed two half-centuries in his brief career, with a best score of 86.
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Aakash Chopra ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 ICC ODI World Cup 2023 ICC World Cup 2023 India National Cricket Team KL Rahul Sanju Samson
