Former Indian National Cricket Team player Sanjay Manjrekar shared his views on testing KL Rahul as an opener ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.
Sanjay Manjrekar said India were in “panic mode” and urged the team management to end their KL Rahul obsession and trust some new faces to get the job done.
Clearly, India is in panic mode – Sanjay Manjrekar
KL Rahul was recently dropped from India’s Test XI after failing to score runs in Tests series Opening against New Zealand in Bangalore. He registered scores of 0 and 12 in the first Test and replaced him Sarfaraz Khan in the next two matches.
Rohit Sharma had earlier made it clear that the team management does not want to change KL Rahul’s batting position in Test cricket as the middle-order slot suits him.
But the star striker was sent off early Australia To participate in an unofficial Test match against Australia A. Notably, KL Rahul has been given the opening slot as India look for a replacement for Rohit Sharma, who may miss the first BGT Test in Perth due to the birth of his second child.
Rahul, meanwhile, failed to impress again as he registered scores of 4 and 10 and even hit his back between the legs, an embarrassing dismissal.
Speaking about the sudden change in KL Rahul’s batting stance, Sanjay Manjrekar said that the Indian team is in panic mode.
“Obviously, India are in a state of panic. They are a bit shaken by what happened at home against New Zealand. And that’s when the plans start to go wrong. And I believe you actually have to look at it the other way around, where you think you have nothing to lose,” he told ESPNcricinfo.
I don’t know, the team management and the selectors have some fascination for him – Sanjay Manjrekar
Sanjay Manjrekar then attacked the Indian team management and selection committee demanding chances for deserving players and not KL Rahul. He said that the team management had no faith in Abhimanyu Easwaran but they should trust the domestic cricket veteran. He elaborated:
“So that’s when you go back and do the right thing. And play players who deserve a chance. KL Rahul. You know, I don’t know, the team management, the selectors have some fascination for him. They just want him to be a part of the playing XI, whether it’s above , or below.
“Maybe Abhimanyu Easwaran hasn’t convinced them that much. But it’s not for us to play God and decide that Abhimanyu Easwaran won’t run in a Test match. We’ve had many examples in the past where players have surprised you. You sometimes get surprised by your own performance, so keep it simple and get it right make a choice.”
In fact, I would say KL Rahul should consider himself very lucky – Sanjay Manjrekar
When Rahul was asked to share his thoughts on his change of role in a poor run of form, Sanjay Manjrekar said that the mortician should consider himself lucky as he is getting consistent opportunities.
Manjrekar pointed out that Rahul averaged below 35 after playing 50 Test matches but still got a lot of support from the selection committee. He elaborated:
“In fact, I would say that KL Rahul should consider himself very lucky to get the opportunity. Such comebacks and opportunities, very few players have been given such a deal over the years in the history of Indian cricket.
“So it doesn’t matter if it’s up or down the order, as long as he gets a chance to play in the Playing XI despite the record he has. Now, after 50 Test matches, the average is down to 33. I think they KL can find the form that Rahul did.
“He’s got 100 in Australia. So he keeps coming back to his plans. But I don’t think now is the time to think that Abhimanyu Easwaran is the guy to open with Jaiswal. Maybe he’s not. It fills you with overconfidence, but it would be the right thing to do.”
