Indian batter KL Rahul displayed impressive form, having stepped up as an opener in Rohit Sharma’s absence in the first Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 against Australia at the Optus Stadium in Perth.
The right-handed batter contributed 26 runs in the first innings and followed it up with a gritty 77 in the second, helping India secure a resounding 295-run victory over Australia in the five-match Test series opener in Perth.
KL Rahul leaves fans guessing about his batting position in the Day-Night Test
Rahul was promoted to the top of the order because the Indian captain, Rohit Sharma, missed the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 opener against Australia due to the birth of his second child. The Karnataka star grabbed the opportunity with both hands, making it tough for the team to drop him down the batting order for the second Test in Adelaide.
With Rohit Sharma rejoining the touring party, speculation has arisen about potential changes to the opening combination for the second Test. Many cricket experts and former players called for India to retain the opening combo of KL Rahul-Yashasvi Jaiswal for the Day-Night Test against Australia.
Amid rumors of Rohit possibly moving down the order to accommodate Rahul at the top, the 32-year-old was asked about his batting position for the second Test during a press interaction on Wednesday, December 4, and his response is now all over the internet.
I have been told, but I have also been told not to share: KL Rahul
Responding with a light-hearted remark, Rahul revealed that decisions had already been made by the Indian cricket team management about his batting position, but he was told not to inform the media, leaving the media in splits as the press conference room burst into laughter.
Reporter: Rahul, have you been told where you will be going to bat?
KL Rahul: “I have been told, but I have also been told not to share. You will have to wait for Day 1 or maybe when the captain comes here tomorrow.”
KL Rahul sharing the update of not sharing his batting position. 😂pic.twitter.com/8YensX8TnZ
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) December 4, 2024
As Rahul prepares to play his first-ever pink-ball Test, the focus will be on how India strategizes their lineup to maintain momentum against a formidable Australian side in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-15. Notably, the second Test will kick off on Friday, December 6.
Rahul shares how he prepared for his role as India’s opener
Sharing how he prepared to open the innings after batting in the middle order for India, Rahul noted, “I missed out in the New Zealand series. I didn’t play the last two games, so I was told to be ready. There might be a chance for me to open the batting, so I got enough time to prepare, and opening is something that I’ve done for a long time in my career.”
He signed off by saying, “So, I just had to go back and practice it a little bit more. And like I said, I batted a lot in the top of the order, so I know how I need to get my runs and what processes I need to follow. And I got enough practice time. I came here early and played in India. A game that helped me to get some time in the middle. So, I’ve got a lot of time in the middle. So, it was good, and it helped me in my preparation.”