KL Rahul told to take extra responsibility in ENG Tests: 'You're not new, Rohit and Kohli aren’t there'

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra urged KL Rahul to take the responsibility as a senior player in the England tour because not many players have experience of playing in English conditions.

After Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli retired from Test cricket, the most experienced batter in the India Test squad is KL Rahul, who has experience playing in English conditions.

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Aakash Chopra urges KL Rahul to take responsibility

Aakash Chopra wanted KL Rahul to play good in the whole tour, not just at the start. Rahul got off to a good start in the previous overseas Test series against Australia but failed to finish on a high.

"For Rahul, there is one thing in my mind that the entire series does not turn out to be good despite him getting off to a good start. Whether it is the series of Australia, the series of England, or the series of South Africa. The start was very good, but he tapers off towards the end. So at some stage, you need to figure out that it is not possible to make 80 in the first match and 100 in the second but then finish the series with an average of 30." Aakash Chopra said on JioStar.

Chopra wants Rahul to have a series with a 50-plus average. This will be the perfect opportunity for Rahul to showcase his talent because Rohit and Kohli aren't there.

“I want a series of averages of 47, 48, 52, 54. And no better time to do this than now. Because you are not new, Rohit is not there, Kohli is not there. There will be more responsibility. KL Rahul is one of those who played the whole series last time. So KL, you have a little more responsibility,” he added.

KL Rahul’s Test career

Rahul has played 58 Test matches so far and has yet to prove himself on the big stage, as his average is just 33.57. Rahul has centuries in the SENA countries, but couldn’t perform consistently in a series.

Rahul has smashed eight centuries in the red-ball format. He also scored a ton in the last England tour, and the management will be looking to him to take the responsibility at the top of the order.

KL Rahul’s love for Test cricket

Rahul recently revealed that he loves red-ball cricket. Rahul put the red-ball format above any format of cricket.

“I love red-ball cricket. You can’t take that away from me, or anyone who’s been part of that Indian team,” Rahul stated.

"Everyone I’ve spoken to in that squad feels the same. Red ball cricket is number one for us. We love playing Test cricket, and that hasn’t changed for me," Rahul added.

Rahul will open the innings for the Indian team against England. The England tour commences on June 20, and the first Test match will be played in Leeds.

Leeds, Edgbaston, Lord’s, Manchester, and the Oval are the venues of the five-Test match series.