Former India cricketer Kris Srikkanth believes that KL Rahul should not be batting below the No.5 position in ODIs. This statement comes after Rahul came out to bat at the No.6 spot below Washington Sundar against South Africa in the first ODI of the three-match series.
Rahul's fiery knock against South Africa
Rahul, who was appointed as India's captain ahead of the series due to Shubman Gill's absence, did play a gritty knock of 60 runs from 56 deliveries despite batting at an unusual position. The 33-year-old scored two boundaries and three sixes and played a key role in the Men in Blue reaching a humongous total of 349/6 in 50 overs.
Despite his promising performance, former India cricketer Kris Srikkanth slammed the team management for making Rahul bat way below the batting order. He feels that there is no reason why he should be coming out to bat below Washington Sundar, who generally plays in the lower-middle order.
“I don’t know about Washington Sundar going ahead of him. If KL Rahul had batted higher in the order, it would have been better for India. He should never go below 5. Yes, it was a successful move in the Champions Trophy. But I don’t think you should make it a habit. He should be batting at No. 4 or 5. Washington Sundar can go as a finisher rather than coming in at No. 5,” Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel.
Srikkanth wants Rahul to bat at either No.4 or 5
Srikkanth further remarked that Rahul should either bat at No.4 or 5 and praised the batter for effortlessly playing a phenomenal knock despite not batting at his usual position.
“Classy Rolls-Royce Rahul, India can’t do without him. He scored his 60 with effortless ease. Once he struck that six off Burger, he was unstoppable. But I don’t understand why KL Rahul comes into bat at No. 6. He should be batting at No. 4 or 5, not beyond that. I don’t understand this logic at all," Srikkanth stated.
Meanwhile, India took a 1-0 lead in the three-match assignment with their 17-run victory over South Africa in Ranchi. They will have a chance of sealing the series by coming out victorious in the second ODI that will be played on December 3 in Raipur.