ICC World Cup 2019: Put KL Rahul Under Pressure, Not MS Dhoni - Sanjay Manjrekar

Former Indian batsman and current commentator Sanjay Manjrekar believes KL Rahul is the one player who should be put under the pressure rather than MS Dhoni. The former Indian skipper has been severely criticised for his uncharacterised knock of 42 runs from 31 balls. The ‘Lack of Intent’ was the topic which was discussed at length by the media and through the social media platform.

However, Sanjay Manjrekar believes it is time for the young players to take the pressure off the shoulders of MS Dhoni. On the other hand, KL Rahul has got off to starts in the ongoing tournament but the flamboyant batsman hasn’t been able to convert his starts into the substantial score.

MS Dhoni’s lack of intent was the topic to be discussed after India’s loss against England.

Rahul hasn’t looked at his best. However, it is well known that Dhoni needs time as well as some deliveries before he can hit the ground running. In fact, Dhoni also fails to get going against the spinners from the get-go. Hence, he is now more suited in the middle order than the lower order.

“It is really unfair that the focus is only on Dhoni because, if, at this stage of his career also, there aren’t other batsmen around who can help India win matches, then it is not healthy (sign) for Indian cricket,” Manjrekar told PTI during an interaction on the eve of Bangladesh game.

KL Rahul has scored 172 runs in the six innings he has played. Rahul has scored his runs at an average of 34.40. However, Rahul has scored his runs at not so impressive strike rate of 69.08. The right-hander had bagged a nine-ball duck in the previous match against England as he failed to get his timing right.

“Focus shouldn’t be so much on Dhoni and it’s more a media thing, to talk about Dhoni. If I am a well-wisher of Indian cricket, I will start putting pressure on Lokesh Rahul and others to start delivering and take the load away from people like Dhoni,” said Sanjay Manjrekar.

KL Rahul will need to pull up his socks as he hasn’t yet delivered the goods. The right-hander is looking extra cautious in his approach and he will need to bring his natural game to the table. Rahul is getting a chance to open the innings after Shikhar Dhawan was ruled out from the tournament.

India will face Bangladesh at Edgbaston, Birmingham on 2nd July.