IND vs SA: These Are Early Days Of KL Rahul's Captaincy And Maybe Things Will Turn Around – Sunil Gavaskar

Updated - 20 Jan 2022, 08:05 PM

Sunil Gavaskar, KL Rahul
Sunil Gavaskar, KL Rahul (Photo: Twitter)

Batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has said it’s still the early days of KL Rahul’s captaincy and he was hoping that things turn around in the future.

KL Rahul-led India lost the first ODI of the three-match ODI series against South Africa by 31 runs. Batting first South Africa scored 296 runs with the help of an amazing partnership between Temba Bavuma and Rassie van der Dussen. India while chasing the target were restricted India to 265/8.

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Sunil Gavaskar
Sunil Gavaskar (Image Credit: Twitter)

Speaking to Sports Today, Gavaskar said that Rahul had run out of ideas when Temba Bavuma and Rassie van der Dussen were involved in a partnership.

“Well, when there is a partnership, sometimes the captain goes out of ideas. I think that is what happened. This was a very good pitch to bat on. The ball was coming onto the bat quite nicely, you can play through the line,” Gavaskar said.

“But, these are early days of his captaincy and maybe things will turn around, let’s hope for Indian cricket’s sake that things turn around in the next couple of days,” he added.

I don’t think he should be looking to bat himself down at No. 4 or 5 – Sunil Gavaskar On KL Rahul

KL Rahul
Photo Credit: (BCCI)

Gavaskar was asked if Rahul should consider playing in the middle-order to beef up the batting unit, to which he responded:

Not when Rohit is not around. He is in the team as an opening batter in all formats of the game. I don’t think he should be looking to bat himself down at No. 4 or 5. Right at the top, he can lead from the front as well.”

Sunil Gavaskar
Sunil Gavaskar (Image Credit: Twitter)

Sunil Gavaskar further lauded veteran opener Shikhar Dhawan, who scored a sensational half-century in the first ODI against South Africa. He said:

“As far as Shikhar Dhawan is concerned, he has been scoring runs in the 50-over format, not so much in T20s. So as long as the man is scoring runs, everything else should be put in the background. You should not going to talk about his age and all that. I don’t see why there should be any talk about it,” Gavaskar added.

Also Read: Babar Azam Named Captain Of ICC ODI Team Of 2021, No Indian Player Part Of The Team

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India vs South Africa KL Rahul Shikhar Dhawan Sunil Gavaskar