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Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar opined that India should try Abhimanyu Easwaran instead of Rahul in Australia when Rohit Sharma is away.
KL Rahul could only manage to score 4 runs in the first inning of the 2nd unofficial Test. (Picture Credit: Screengrab)
Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar critically analysed the curious case of KL Rahul, stating that the Karnataka batter should consider himself lucky to be getting chances repeatedly despite a significant dip in his Test average. Rahul has scored 2981 runs in the last 53 matches, averaging 33.87. He recently endured a lean patch in home Tests as well, scoring 106 runs vs Bangladesh in 3 innings and 12 vs New Zealand in 2 innings.
Speaking to ESPN Cricinfo, Manjrekar expressed his surprise over the team management’s obsession with Rahul and also opined that following the debacle against the Kiwis at home, it’s time to make the right choices of players.
“Clearly India are in a panic mode. They are a bit shaken by what happened against New Zealand at home. And that’s when one has to look at it in a different way and think there’s nothing to lose here. So, you go back and do the right thing. Play players who deserve to get a chance,” Manjrekar told Cricinfo.
“There is some fascination the team management and the selectors have with him. They just want him in the playing XI; maybe in the top or down the order. Maybe [Abhimanyu] Easwaran hasn’t convinced them as much.
“But it’s not for us to play god and decide, “Maybe Easwaran won’t get runs.” We have had players in the past who have surprised you with their performances. Sometimes you yourself are surprised by your own performance. So, keep it simple and make the right choice,” he added.
The cricketer-turned-commentator further highlighted the long rope given to Rahul in Tests despite underperforming. The Karnataka batter recently played as an opener for India A in the second 4-day tour match against Australia A and scored 10 & 4 in two innings. Since question still looms over Rohit Sharma’s participation in the Perth Test, Manjrekar opined that India should try Abhimanyu Easwaran instead of Rahul.
“I would say KL Rahul should consider himself very lucky to be getting opportunities. Very few players in the history of Indian cricket have been given such kinds of opportunities. So be it up or down the order, it doesn’t matter as long as getting a chance to be in the playing XI despite the kind of record that he has. His average has dropped to 33 after 50 [53] Tests matches,” Manjrekar said.
“I guess, somewhere they believe that Rahul might find his form. He has got a hundred in Australia. That’s why he keeps coming back into plans. But now, maybe it’s the time, not with conviction, that you think Easwaran is the guy to open with Jaiswal. Maybe that doesn’t fill you too much with confidence but that could be the right thing to do,” he concluded.
