Batting great Sunil Gavaskar believes that KL Rahul's impressive 84-run knock on Day 4 of the third Test at The Gabba has settled the debate over India's opening slot. With Rohit Sharma struggling at number six, Rahul, who opened the innings in the absence of Rohit, grabbed the opportunity with both hands and delivered with the bat in order to seal his spot.
KL Rahul or Rohit Sharma: Sunil Gavaskar makes final choice for India opener
Gavaskar heaped praise on KL Rahul's crucial contribution in India's fightback on Day 4 of the Gabba Test, especially after the top-order collapse in the first innings. Gavaskar said that, given Rohit's current form, Rahul should continue to open the batting for India in the remaining matches of the series.
"Yes, that debate is settled. With the way he's batted throughout these 3 test matches, Rahul has to open. Rohit Sharma has not been in good form over the last 4 or 5 matches, not just these 2 matches yet, but over the last 4 or 5 matches, so it makes sense to go in with a batter who's in very good form," Gavaskar told India Today.
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When the chips were down, Rahul firmly held one end of India's batting as wickets continued to fell around him. In contrast, Rohit Sharma, who was expected to shoulder the batting responsibility, could only manage 10 runs. Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja formed a crucial 67-run partnership before Rahul was dismissed by a brilliant catch from Steve Smith off Nathan Lyon's bowling.Gavaskar also went on to suggest that Rahul should face the first ball of the innings to allow Yashasvi Jaiswal some time to settle in. Jaiswal has struggled against Mitchell Starc in recent innings, being dismissed on the first or second ball in the last three innings.
"The only thing is, unless it's a superstitious thing, I would like, maybe Rahul to take the first ball so that he just gives young Jaiswal a little time to settle at the other end, because Jaiswal seems to be in a bit of a rush. When he comes there, he's pushing hard at the ball, and you know he got away with the streaky boundary of to get forward, and next body was out, so maybe just get him some time to settle at the non-striker end," Gavaskar added.
India avoid follow-on on Day 4 of IND vs AUS 3rd Test
Talking about the match, Day 4 of the third Test was halted due to bad light, forcing players off the field. India, thanks to an unbeaten 39-run partnership between Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep, avoided the follow-on. At the close of Day 4's play, India were 252/9, trailing Australia by 193 runs. After the top order fiasco, it was KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja who came to India's rescue with their crucial knocks. While Rahul scored a robust 84, Jadeja made a well-crafted 77.
