Salman Butt Backs KL Rahul To Play The Role Of A Finisher In ODIs Against South Africa

Former Pakistan skipper Salman Butt believes Indian stand-in skipper for the South Africa ODIs KL Rahul can bat in the middle order and play the role of a finisher. Newly appointed ODI skipper Rohit Sharma failed to recover from his hamstring injury in time, due to which BCCI announced KL Rahul as the skipper for the ODIs on Friday.

With the likes of Shikhar Dhawan and Ruturaj Gaikwad already in the squad, Salman Butt would like to see KL Rahul batting in the middle-order. He feels this would provide much-needed support to Rishabh Pant who is the lone experienced batsman in the middle order. Rahul has tasted success in the middle-order in the past and that can be a good idea according to Salman Butt.

“Let’s see if India considers this idea. Because the player that you want as a finisher is now the captain of the team. If he realises that a finisher is needed, he will come down in the batting order,” Salman Butt said in a video on his YouTube channel.

it is possible for openers to adjust to different playing positions: Salman Butt

Salman Butt believes that an opener can be versatile enough to bat at any given position according to the requirements of the team. Here is what he had to say about the possibility of Rahul batting in the middle order:

“Very few openers can struggle at other positions. Batting adjustment is relatively easier for an opener in comparison to others and it also depends on the game condition and how a batter likes to play. So yes, it is possible for openers to adjust to different playing positions.”

India have taken a 1-0 lead in the Test series after a win at Centurion and will play the second Test in Johannesburg from Monday

Also Read: Ravi Shastri Recalls How He Planned Jasprit Bumrah’s Test Debut In South Africa