(Source Youtube)
Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has criticized the team selection for the third ODI against Sri Lanka at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. He took aim at Gautam Gambhir and the team management for their decision to drop KL Rahul after just two matches.
Rahul was unexpectedly omitted from the third ODI in favor of wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant. Despite being a key player in India’s ODI lineup since the Asia Cup last year, Rahul was removed from the squad. He played a crucial role in India’s Asia Cup 2023 victory and had an impressive performance in the ODI World Cup 2023, finishing as India’s top run-scorer in the final against Australia.
Aakash Chopra criticizes Gautam Gambhir’s team selection decision to drop KL Rahul for the third ODI
In a video on his YouTube channel, Chopra expressed his frustration with India’s decision to bench KL Rahul. He also questioned the rationale behind using three different players at No. 4 in each ODI of the series.
“KL Rahul just plays two matches. It’s very interesting that we have played three different players in all the three matches in this series – Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, and Rishabh Pant. No. 4 was our revolving door. We were making changes again and again. Why were we doing it? If KL Rahul is playing, then why were we pushing him down to No. 7. Why were we not fighting from the front?
Is KL Rahul in India’s plans or not, asks Aakash Chopra
The former India opener noted that the current Indian team appears to lack a clear plan and direction. He also pointed out that KL Rahul, despite being the top run-scorer in the global middle order, was surprisingly dropped from the squad.
“KL Rahul played in the first two games and then he was dropped. It’s very interesting. You want to know which direction are you exactly going. You want to know what’s your plan. Is KL Rahul in your plans or not?” Chopra argued.
“If you see his numbers from 2023 onwards among the players who have batted at No. 4, 5, and 6 in world cricket, nobody has scored more runs than him. But he gets dropped after just two matches,” he added.
KL Rahul’s most recent ODI appearance before the series against Sri Lanka
KL Rahul last appeared in an ODI in 2023 against South Africa, following the ODI World Cup. Since then, he has had limited international cricket exposure. Although he was initially included in India’s squad for the home Test series against England earlier this year, an injury caused him to withdraw midway. Not being part of India’s T20I plans, he missed the T20 World Cup.
The first ODI against Sri Lanka marked his return to international cricket after the England Test series. Unfortunately, Rahul’s performance in the series was underwhelming. He managed just 31 off 43 balls in the first match and was dismissed for a duck in the second ODI, falling to expansive shots in both innings.
