KL Rahul is a strong contender for the opening slots for India’s first Test against Australia next week, but his knack of ‘finding new ways to get himself out’ has not gone down well with assistant coach Sanjay Bangar.
Rahul goes out to bat in the pratice match on Thursday
Sydney:
Bangar said Rahul was no longer an inexperienced player and he ought to shoulder more responsibility. “He (Rahul) has been looking in good shape, including today (Thursday). It is just that he is finding new ways to get out. The ball was quite afar when he played it away from his body and lost his wicket. He is playing the ball well and he is one hit away (from form),” said Bangar after the day’s play.
“We know his ability and if he converts that to performances, then it is important for the team. He is not a young player anymore and he is on his second tour here. He has played 30 Tests and he has a responsibility,” he added.
Bangar made it clear that the opening combination as well as the number six slot for the first Test in Adelaide beginning December 6 are still up for grabs. He said the second innings will help decide about the composition of the batting line-up, with Rahul, Murali Vijay, Rohit Sharma and Hanuma Vihari in focus for the opening and number six spots.
“I would say there are still some spots to be taken. We will keep a close eye on how the second innings goes and it gives some other batsmen a hit especially Murali Vijay and middle order batsmen, and see how they go. There are certain spots to be taken still. We are looking at the opening slot as well as the number six slot. Those are the positions we have not decided yet,” he stated.
Bangar said the second day’s display was satisfying, with most of the batsmen getting good knocks, though they were facing inexperienced Australian bowlers. “It was a pretty useful time in the middle. It was important that we switch to this format of the game because some of the guys are coming from T20s. Some Test guys, except for Cheteshwar Pujara, had a first-class game in New Zealand as well. All of them got to spend some time in the middle and get some runs,” he said.
Rahul was the only prominent batsman to miss out on a significant score in India’s 358 all-out on day two of the four-day tour game here. He was out for three runs while playing a loose drive on the up and was caught at mid-off within the first hour of play.
Bangar said Rahul was no longer an inexperienced player and he ought to shoulder more responsibility. “He (Rahul) has been looking in good shape, including today (Thursday). It is just that he is finding new ways to get out. The ball was quite afar when he played it away from his body and lost his wicket. He is playing the ball well and he is one hit away (from form),” said Bangar after the day’s play.
“We know his ability and if he converts that to performances, then it is important for the team. He is not a young player anymore and he is on his second tour here. He has played 30 Tests and he has a responsibility,” he added.
Bangar made it clear that the opening combination as well as the number six slot for the first Test in Adelaide beginning December 6 are still up for grabs. He said the second innings will help decide about the composition of the batting line-up, with Rahul, Murali Vijay, Rohit Sharma and Hanuma Vihari in focus for the opening and number six spots.
“I would say there are still some spots to be taken. We will keep a close eye on how the second innings goes and it gives some other batsmen a hit especially Murali Vijay and middle order batsmen, and see how they go. There are certain spots to be taken still. We are looking at the opening slot as well as the number six slot. Those are the positions we have not decided yet,” he stated.
Bangar said the second day’s display was satisfying, with most of the batsmen getting good knocks, though they were facing inexperienced Australian bowlers. “It was a pretty useful time in the middle. It was important that we switch to this format of the game because some of the guys are coming from T20s. Some Test guys, except for Cheteshwar Pujara, had a first-class game in New Zealand as well. All of them got to spend some time in the middle and get some runs,” he said.