While India have been dominating Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2023 with two consecutive comprehensive wins, KL Rahul has been making headlines as his poor Test run continued. While many including former Indian pacer Venkatesh Prasad have called for Rahul to be dropped for rest of the series, Dinesh Karthik understands what the opener is going through. Karthik feels his disappointing run is not due to lack of skill but what is going on in his mind.
"He also knows for a fact that if he's going to be dropped for the next match, which is pretty much an eventuality, it is not because of the one innings, it is because of what has transpired in the last five-six Test matches. He is a class player. He is very good in all formats. At this point, I don't think it's the technique, it's what is happening between the ears. He might need some time away from the game. Come back fresh for the ODIs," Karthik was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.
Karthik revealed a dark time of his career when he went to the washroom and shed a tear or two after a disappointing outing in the middle.
"This is a professional world, you've got to deal with those sorrowful moments but as a player when I look at what he has gone through. When you get out that way knowing very well this could have been your last innings. It has happened to me when you go into the dressing room, quietly walk into the toilet, and shed a tear or two. It's not a nice feeling because there's not much you can do," he said.
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While Karthik understands what Rahul is going through, he was objective about team selection and wants in-form Shubman Gill to open in the next Test which will be played in Indore. The wicketkeeper-batter also backed Rahul to make a strong comeback in the three-ODI series which is scheduled to start on March 17 at Wankhede Stadium.
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"Temporarily for the moment, I will have to go with Shubman Gill. He batted beautifully. There will be just one change in the India XI (for the third Test). I felt bad for KL Rahul. He has been under the scanner. But One thing is for sure, KL will come back strongly and when he does, there are not too many right-handed batters who can match him with the quality and range of shots," the Tamil Nadu-born cricketer said.
