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

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.

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.