KL Rahul Can Definitely Get A Look-In In The England Series: Aakash Chopra

Former Indian opening batsman Aakash Chopra has opined on KL Rahul’s chances of fitting in the eleven against England in the forthcoming Test series. India and England will lock horns in five Tests, the first of which starts in Nottingham on Wednesday. Aakash Chopra feels a few holes in the tourists’ batting line-up gives KL Rahul a decent chance of playing some Tests on the English shores.

KL Rahul has not played red-ball cricket for India since August 2019, having delivered inconsistent performances in the format. With the emergence of Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, and Mayank Agarwal, the classy right-handed batsman fell further down in the pecking order. But he has put himself in contention for the first Test by producing a hundred in the warm-up game. Rahul still averages a decent 34.59 in 36 Tests.

Aakash Chopra observed that apart from having the experience of playing in the English conditions, KL Rahul scored a ton in the warm-up game too. The 43-year old believes since he played as a middle-order batter in the match, he has an opportunity. Chopra also stated there appears to be an opening in the middle-order, the reason for Prithvi Shaw and Suryakumar Yadav’s addition to the squad.

“KL Rahul has the experience of playing in English conditions. He has scored a Test hundred in England and got one in the warm-up match as well. He is now playing as a middle-order batsman. He can definitely get a chance. There is an opening in the middle-order, which is why Shaw and Surya (Suryakumar Yadav) have been added to the squad,” Chopra stated in his Youtube channel.

Looking at all the factors, KL Rahul can definitely get a look-in: Aakash Chopra

Aakash Chopra further noted that India’s batting weaknesses are a little obvious as the openers are yet to prove themselves in overseas conditions, while Hanuma Vihari’s ability seems doubtful too. Thus, the cricketer-turned-commentator believes KL Rahul has guaranteed himself an opportunity or two at the top or middle-order.

“Team India have weaknesses in the batting. Abhimanyu Easwaran apparently doesn’t seem in good form. The opening pair of Mayank Agarwal and Rohit Sharma are yet to prove themselves in overseas conditions. One is not sure about Hanuma Vihari’s consistency with the bat. So looking at all the factors, KL Rahul can definitely get a look-in. I think he can play as an opener also but as of now it seems he will bat in the middle-order, if he plays,” he added.

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