Lucknow Super Giants mentor Gautam Gambhir has fired a warning at his team’s captain KL Rahul, saying that a leadership role in the Indian Premier League (IPL) does not guarantee India’s captaincy.
Incidentally, Rahul is India captain Rohit Sharma’s designated deputy across formats has been on the radar of the selectors as a future captain. But Gambhir believes IPL can never be the ladder to hone your skills for Indian cricket.
Speaking on PTI, Gautam Gambhir said:
“Know one thing. There is a difference between being talked up as a future India captain and ultimately being appointed India captain.”
He added:
“I have never believed that you should play IPL, looking at the national team. IPL is a platform to express one’s self. One can grow as a leader but there are no guarantees that there is a time period that IPL will help you become India captain.”
Incidentally, KL Rahul has captained India in a couple of matches and will be in the race to take over the baton when Rohit Sharma steps down.
“Need the batter who leads rather than captain who also bats” – Gautam Gambhir on KL Rahul
The Lucknow Super Giants mentor has made his expectations loud and clear, saying that the team needs KL Rahul, the batter who also leads the team instead of the captain who also bats.
Speaking to PTI, Gambhir said:
“Ultimately, it is the leader who is the flag-bearer of a team and so it’s Rahul who will lead Lucknow Supergiants on and off the field. For me, it is important to have KL Rahul the batter, who is also the captain of the team, rather than KL Rahul, the captain, who also bats. I hope I am able to make you understand the difference.”
Lucknow Super Giants will begin their IPL 2022 campaign against Gujarat Titans on March 29 at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune.
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