Cricketing legend Sunil Gavaskar was unhappy with KL Rahul's batting approach and manner of dismissal during the first ODI against England at VCA Stadium in Nagpur. The wicketkeeper batter got out after scoring just two runs in nine balls before India defeated England by four wickets to take a 1-0 lead in a three-match ODI series.
KL Rahul came to bat when India needed 28 runs to win the first match. The 32-year-old wicketkeeper batter has to settle for the number six position, with the left-handed Axar Patel sent up the order to maintain the left-right combination out in the middle.
India vice-captain who joined Rohit Sharma as Yashasvi Jaiswal got out during the fifth over was nearing his hundred, he was batting on 81 when KL Rahul walked out to bat.
KL Rahul was seen eager to give the strike back to Gill and while he was trying to do so he ended up chipping one back to Adil Rashid and went back to pavallion.
Before KL Rahul's dismissal, Gavaskar warned the Karnataka batter against prioritising Shubman Gill's ton over playing his natural game.
"He should play his natural game. He is prodding to make sure his partner has a chance of getting a hundred," Gavaskar said during commentary (via The Hindustan Times).
After KL Rahul's wicket, Gavaskar slammed KL Rahul and said that such an approach has not place in the team game.
"Look what happened. This is exactly what I was talking about. This is a team game, you don't have to do that. He was looking to tap the ball to help his partner get to a century. It was a half-hearted shot," Gavaskar added.
Gill who was looking steady also got out in the next over and India were in a slight spot of bother. Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja scored remaining runs to guide India to a four-wicket win against England.