'Makes zero sense': Dodda Ganesh lambasts Gautam Gambhir for resting KL Rahul in IND vs AFG 3rd ODI

The decision to omit KL Rahul from India's playing XI for the third ODI against Afghanistan has drawn sharp criticism from former Indian speedster Dodda Ganesh. He openly challenged the team management's strategy, arguing that giving the wicketkeeper-batsman a break made little sense considering his exceptionally brief stints at the crease during the initial two matches of the series.

KL Rahul didn't need this rest: Dodda Ganesh

This tactical debate unfolded at Chennai's MA Chidambaram Stadium, where the dead-rubber third ODI took place. Having already secured the series with a commanding 2-0 lead through clinical wins in Dharamshala and Lucknow, stand-in captain Shubman Gill used the opportunity to shuffle the lineup after Afghanistan won the toss and elected to bat.

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Ganesh was particularly baffled by the "workload management" justification for Rahul's absence. The former pacer pointed out that Rahul had faced a grand total of just 20 deliveries in the entire series up to that point, suggesting that the batter needed more time in the middle to find his rhythm rather than a seat on the bench.

"KL Rahul didn’t need this rest. He’s played only 20 balls in the series. Absolutely makes zero sense," Dodda Ganesh wrote on X.

How did KL Rahul fare in IND vs AFG ODI series?

Rahul's brief series had been a tale of two extremes. He initially looked in sublime touch during the opener in Dharamsala, blasting a crucial, unbeaten 39 off just 19 balls to guide India's 195-run chase across the finish line. However, he met a contrasting fate in Lucknow, walking back for a golden duck on the very first ball he faced from Nangeyalia Kharote, even as the rest of the Indian lineup feasted on the bowling to pile up a massive 402 runs.

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Rahul could next be seen in the England tour, where India are scheduled to play a three-match ODI series, starting from July 14.

Having already wrapped up the series, the Indian team management utilized the final ODI in Chennai as an ideal testing ground for their bench strength. In a bid to trial different combinations ahead of a packed international calendar, the lineup saw three notable changes: Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harsh Dubey, and Prasidh Krishna were drafted into the playing XI, while KL Rahul, Kuldeep Yadav, and Arshdeep Singh were given a break.

Meanwhile, there was no tinkering at the very top of the order, where Yashasvi Jaiswal retained his spot to open the innings alongside Rohit Sharma. However, not everyone in the dugout got a chance to feature, as pace bowler Harshit Rana missed out on the final XI despite being named in the official ODI squad.

India's Playing XI:

Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill(c), Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan(w), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Harsh Dubey, Gurnoor Brar, Prasidh Krishna, Prince Yadav

Afghanistan Playing XI:

Rahmanullah Gurbaz(w), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi(c), Darwish Rasooli, Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, AM Ghazanfar, Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi, Fareed Ahmad Malik