3 Players Who Can Replace KL Rahul As India's Opener After ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2022

3 Players Who Can Replace KL Rahul As India’s Opener After ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022. Since returning from injury, KL Rahul has finally found some form, and all the concerns around his strike rate have been answered. KL Rahul is the vice-captain of the team as well.

The right-handed batsman has scored 108 runs in 2 games against South Africa with 2 half-centuries. Against Australia, the right-handed batsman slammed 66 runs across 3 games with 1 half-century. KL Rahul had an excellent ICC T20 World Cup 2021 where he amassed 194 runs averaging 48.5 at a strike rate of 152.76 in 5 T20Is. However, his inconsistency might result in his axe as an opener.

3 Players Who Can Replace KL Rahul As India’s Opener After ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022

Prithvi Shaw

Prithvi Shaw-the Mumbai opener has not been in India contention recently but has piled on the runs in the last two months for Mumbai, West Zone and India A. “Disappointed” at not being picked in India’s ODI squad for the South Africa series that finished last week, Prithvi Shaw smashed his maiden T20 century – a 61-ball 134 – against Assam at the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. He last played for India on the tour of Sri Lanka in July 2021 and hasn’t come close to being picked since.

Since the start of this season, he’s been in good form. Having begun with a bruising 113 for West Zone in their Duleep Trophy opener against Northeast, he followed that up with scores of 60 and 142 against a competent Central Zone attack, in the semi-finals. Then part of India A’s one-day squad that played New Zealand A in Chennai, Prithvi Shaw smacked a 48-ball 77 to help clinch the series.

Prithvi Shaw may replace KL Rahul as an opener in T20Is as he may make his comeback in the Indian side for his excellent performances in the recent white ball domestic games after the conclusion of the ICC T20 World Cup 2022. If KL Rahul fails, the selectors will look at other options like Prithvi Shaw, who has played 5 Tests, 6 ODIs and 1 T20I.

Rishabh Pant

Rishabh Pant has so far opened for India only thrice for India in T20I cricket- twice in the series against England last month. He scored 27 runs in 20 balls across the two innings, laced with six and four boundaries. He scored 27 off 14 balls against South Africa in the inconsequential 3rd T20I, which the Proteas won. KL Rahul was rested for that game.

After India’s 15-man squad for the 2022 T20 World Cup was named, the big debate that still remains is who will be India’s wicket-keeper batter with both Dinesh Karthik and Rishabh Pant competing for one spot. In the Asia Cup 2022, the Men in Blue gave both players a chance to prove themselves. Rishabh Pant has amassed 961 runs in 62 T20Is at a strike rate of 127.45 at a mediocre average of 24.03. He may be promoted as an opener after the conclusion of the ICC 2022 T20 World Cup especially if KL Rahul fails.

Deepak Hooda

The big-hitting top-order batter and a handy off-spinner, Deepak Hooda has been a revelation for the Men in Blue, this year. He has got finesse and guile of a proper batter, and also the strength and firepower of a modern white-ball batter. He could be an ideal like-for-like replacement for KL Rahul, given his track record.

Deepak Hooda has batted in various positions in his career, but none as successful as at the top for India as anywhere else. He made his T20I debut on February 24, 2022, against Sri Lanka and has appeared in 12 T20Is. He has scored 293 runs at a decent average of 41.85 and a strike rate of 155.85 with a top score of 104-his only fifty-plus score against Ireland.

Deepak Hooda also had a decent Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 with new entrants Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), scoring 451 runs in 15 games with a strike rate of 136.67 averaging 32.21. He also offers the option of a sixth bowler with his off-spinners and is a dependable fielder in the outfield.