ENG Vs IND, 2018: Omission of KL Rahul Surprises Michael Vaughan

In the ongoing decider match in Leeds between England and India, while winning the toss English skipper Eoin Morgan decided to bowl first to make most of the overcast conditions.

However, the surprising decision came from Team India as KL Rahul is absent from the squad. He is replaced by another wicketkeeper-batsman, Dinesh Karthik. Captain Virat Kohli, termed his inclusion as a ‘technical one’.

In the decider, India made overall three changes. Apart from Rahul, pace spearhead Bhuvneshwar Kumar is making a comeback after an injury whereas, young fast bowler Shardul Thakur is also present in the playing XI.

Speedster Umesh Yadav and Siddarth Kaul could not find any place in today’s decider.

Dinesh Karthik replaces KL Rahul:

Out of all the decisions, selectors and Kohli eventually were lashed by the fans. Soon after Kohli announced his Playing XI, the fans took to micro-blogging website, Twitter – to express their disappointment.

Many of the Indian fans believed it won’t yield much as the other half believed Karthik’s inclusion would bring in the stability.

Kohli too explained this move as a tactical one. Having the vacancy of number four slot, Kohli and management certainly would have thought that Karthik is a better choice than Rahul at this position.

Furthermore, the recent performance of Karthik in Nidhas Trophy final followed by the dazzling performance in the eleventh edition of Indian Premier League (IPL) might have forced Kohli to tinker with the playing XI.

Michael Vaughan joins the party:

The exclusion of Rahul did not shock Indian fans only. Michael Vaughan, the former skipper of England found this replacement an obsolete one.

Vaughan maintained he got surprised while learning about the sudden exclusion of Rahul from the squad.

While talking with the BBC Test Match Special, Vaughan, the veteran said,

“I’m surprised India have dropped KL Rahul – he’s a wonderful player – but Dinesh Karthik is a good player too. He was a star for India in the Asia Cup. And (he) is likely to be MS Dhoni’s replacement when he decides enough is enough.”