Gautam Gambhir, the head coach of India, dismissed the ongoing debate between KL Rahul and Sarfaraz Khan for a spot in the second Test against New Zealand. Despite KL Rahul’s recent poor form, including a duck in the first innings of the Bengaluru Test, Gambhir expressed full support for Rahul.
He emphasized that the opinions of the team management matter more than the criticism circulating on social media. Gambhir acknowledged that Rahul had recently performed well, mentioning his 68-run knock against Bangladesh in Kanpur. He believes Rahul still has the potential to deliver big scores and should be given time to prove himself.
Rahul’s Struggles and Sarfaraz Khan’s Pressure
Although Gambhir is backing KL Rahul, the rising performance of Sarfaraz Khan has complicated the selection process. Sarfaraz’s impressive century in the first Test against New Zealand has raised questions about whether he should replace Rahul.
Gambhir admitted that international cricket comes with constant judgment and pressure, and Rahul is well aware of the need to improve his performance. Should Rahul get another chance in the second Test, he will be under scrutiny to justify his place in the lineup.
Gambhir Reflects on India’s Loss in Bengaluru
India’s defeat to New Zealand in Bengaluru by eight wickets was a stark reminder of cricket’s unpredictable nature. Gambhir reflected on the loss, pointing out that India, after a successful series sweep against Bangladesh, failed to adapt during the first Test.
The team collapsed for a mere 46 runs in the first innings, their lowest home total. Gambhir remarked that while India had previously celebrated victories like in Kanpur, cricket can often be a humbling experience. He emphasized the need for the team to show more intent and resilience moving forward in the series.
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