Sunil Gavaskar Recommends KL Rahul to Face First Ball for India

Former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has suggested a strategic batting change for India during their current Test series against Australia at the Gabba. Gavaskar addressed the need for KL Rahul to face the first ball in Tests following Yashasvi Jaiswal’s early dismissals, which have become a recurring issue in the series.

Yashasvi Jaiswal’s dismissals have notably impacted India’s performance. In the Gabba Test, Jaiswal was dismissed on the second ball of the first over, marking this as the second occasion in the series where he was out early. Despite scoring a century in the second innings of the first Test, Jaiswal struggled in the second and third Tests, getting out cheaply each time. In one of the instances, he was dismissed on the first ball of the second Test’s innings by Australian pacer Mitchell Starc.

Gavaskar’s advice comes as a strategic shift to prevent a similar collapse of India’s top-order. During the Gabba Test, India faced a challenging situation, losing four key wickets within the first 15 overs. Notable players such as Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, and Rishabh Pant, along with Jaiswal, were dismissed cheaply, each failing to reach double digits.

In addition to his recommendation regarding KL Rahul, Gavaskar also advised the Indian batters to focus on managing the game by watching the clock instead of the scoreboard. This change in approach is aimed at maintaining composure and strategy, particularly when battling against a strong bowling attack like that of Australia.

At the end of Day 3 of the Gabba Test, the match was halted due to rain, leaving India at 51/4 at stumps. KL Rahul remained unbeaten with 33 runs, partnering with Rohit Sharma, who was yet to open his account. The Indian side trailed Australia by 394 runs at this stage, facing a substantial challenge ahead.

Gavaskar’s recommendations highlight the importance of strategic planning and serve as significant advice for the Indian team as they navigate through the series against a formidable Australian lineup.