As India prepare for the Indore Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2023, questions regarding KL Rahul’s inclusion in the playing XI resurface. The opening batter, who batted as vice-captain in the first two Tests, was heavily chastised for his inconsistent performance in the longest format of the game. Meanwhile, former India coach Ravi Shastri makes a blunt comment regarding the issue.
Despite consistently dishing out poor performance in the international games, Indian team management has backed KL Rahul as he has been included in the team for the final two Tests. Although, selectors have sacked him as the deputy of Rohit Sharma in the longest format of the game. Speaking on the same, ex-head coach Ravi Shastri said that India should not appoint any vice-captain for the upcoming games while Rahul should be dropped from the team.
“The team management will decide (the vice-captain). They know his (Rahul’s) form, they know his mental state. They know how they should be watching someone like Shubman Gill. I, for one, always had the belief (to) never appoint a vice-captain for India. I would rather go with my best XI, and if the captain has to leave the field, you’d zero in on a player that can take over at the time, simply because you don’t need to create complications,” said Shastri on a cricket show.
Ravi Shastri backs Shubman Gill for the third Test
Cricketer turned commentator Ravi Shastri believes that a vice-captain can be replaced if he doesn’t perform. He also backed young Shubman Gill, who has been consistent on the international stage.
“If the vice-captain doesn’t perform, someone can take his place; at least the tag is not there. I’m being blunt and brutal, I never like vice-captain in home conditions. Overseas, it’s different. Here, you want prime form, you want someone like Shubman Gill, who’s red hot. He will challenge. He has to bang that door down and get into the side. Now, he’s not the vice-captain, it has to be team management’s decision,” Shastri further stated.
Notably, Rahul has failed to score runs in Test cricket. He has been struggling to score more than 25 runs in the last 12 innings. Rahul has an average of 15.90 since he made his last Test century.
