Sunil Gavaskar and Matthew Hayden mock KL Rahul

Sunil Gavaskar and Matthew Hayden unintentionally made fun of KL Rahul, doubting his ability to score big runs on Australian soil, as India gears up for the important third Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 in Brisbane.

Actually, the chatter around Rohit Sharma’s batting position has set the cricket world buzzing ahead of the third Test between Australia and India at The Gabba in Brisbane, starting on December 14.

The Indian skipper, who missed the Perth Test due to the birth of his second child, returned for the second Test in Adelaide, where he batted at No. 6, and the experiment backfired.

Sunil Gavaskar and Matthew Hayden take a dig at KL Rahul ahead of the Brisbane Test

Allowing KL Rahul to continue playing as an opener in the Day-Night Test, Rohit Sharma sacrificed his batting position and ended up scoring only nine runs in India’s crushing 10-wicket loss to Australia at the Adelaide Oval, with the hosts leveling the ongoing five-match Test series 1-1.

After the Adelaide Test, Sunil Gavaskar and Matthew Hayden found themselves in a hilarious moment as they were discussing the India cricket team’s lineup for the Brisbane Test against Australia.

Read Also: Rohit Sharma's No.6 move in Tests declared career-saving strategy by coach

Sunil Gavaskar backed the idea of Rohit Sharma reclaiming the opening spot, as this move could provide the solid foundation India desperately needs in the ongoing BGT 2024-25.

As for KL Rahul, Sunil Gavaskar suggested dropping the Karnataka batter to No. 6 and humorously said that he could “comfortably handle the second new ball” if India bats long enough while taking a cheeky dig at the touring side’s batting struggles on the Australia tour.

Rohit Sharma should come back to opening for the third Test: Sunil Gavaskar

Sunil Gavaskar said on Star Sports: “I think he should come back to opening for the next Test because he likes the ball to come onto the bat. This innings, one can understand, because he hadn't played for a while, and Rahul and Jaiswal had a 200-run partnership in the previous game. But Rahul can come down the order and face the second new ball. I'm being optimistic that India will bat so well in the next game that Rahul will take care of the second new ball.”

On the other hand, Matthew Hayden defended KL Rahul as a technically sound opener who simply needs time to click. However, in an amusing gaffe, the former Australian batter mistakenly referred to Rahul as “Rahul Dravid” during his analysis.

Matthew Hayden said during the same discussion for the broadcaster, “I'll be slightly more stubborn. I will not be changing at this stage. I know you would like a better outcome inside the top three. But from what I saw in Perth, technically, Rahul Dravid is right there. He just needs to do it for longer.”

The slip didn’t escape Gavaskar’s sharp wit, as the former Indian captain joked that having Rahul Dravid out there would indeed be a dream come true. Pointing out Hayden’s error, Sunil Gavaskar humorously said, “I would love it if it was Rahul Dravid, as you said, but it is KL Rahul.”

Read Also: Rohit Sharma tagged the Kingpin behind India's loss to Australia in Adelaide

Matthew Hayden's funny gaffe casts doubts on KL Rahul’s ability to deliver at The Gabba

Matthew Hayden, laughing out at his gaffe, blamed his mistake on the trauma of Dravid’s Adelaide double-century that once tormented Australia back in 2003.

The Aussie great signed off by saying, “Sorry, KL Rahul. My apologies. I was thinking of when he dominated here in Adelaide and got us smashed in the 2003/04 series. That's a nightmare I'm still living.”

Notably, Rahul Dravid's remarkable knock of 233 runs off 446 balls studded with 23 fours and a six. During India's 2003/04 tour of Australia is remembered as a true display of grit. Australia had posted a massive 556, led by Ricky Ponting’s 242, but Dravid and VVS Laxman stitched an iconic 303-run partnership to help India post 523 runs on the board in reply.

Dravid’s double ton, followed by an unbeaten 72 in the second innings, helped Team India chase down 230 runs easily and secure their first win in Australia since 1981 and only their fourth-ever victory Down Under.