India national cricket team batsman Hanuma Vihari has opined that the team management is backing star batsman KL Rahul at number 6 in Test cricket because they want an experienced campaigner in that position when they travel to Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.
KL Rahul is one of the most experienced batsmen in the Indian Test setup and has done quite well for the team, especially in overseas Tests. He has featured in 51 Test matches and has done a decent job so far. In 81 innings, he scored 2901 runs at an average of 34.12.
Rahul has not looked at his best of late but will be a key member of the team in Australia during the five-match Test series. His numbers have not been impressive as in 5 matches he has scored only 187 runs at an average of 20.77, while 110 of his total runs have come in one innings.
It will be a great opportunity for Rahul to improve his numbers in the Border-Gavaskar series, which will begin in Perth on November 22. The second pink ball Test will be played in Adelaide from December 6 while the rest of the matches will be held in Brisbane (December 14 to 18), Melbourne (December 26 to 30) and Sydney (January 3 to 7 ).
Meanwhile, Hanuma Vihari claims that the Indian team management is looking at the bigger picture by playing KL Rahul at No. 6 in Tests. In an interaction with India Today, Hanuma Vihari explained:
“I wouldn’t say it would be their last Test match because they are looking at the bigger picture, that’s how I feel playing against KL Rahul at number 6. They have a plan in mind. They want experience at number six when we tour. Australia, because in Australia, playing at six, you have to do well, whether it’s facing a second new ball or an early collapse.
“You need someone with experience to come out and counter it and KL Rahul has done that in the past in SENA countries especially, I know his numbers in SENA countries are really good compared to Indian conditions, which which is surprising with the quality KL possesses. But that’s what they’re looking at.”
I am sure in Kanpur where the terrain is pleasant when the opportunity comes, he will do it big – Hanuma Vihari
Hanuma Vihari added that Gautam Gambhir and Rohit Sharma expect KL Rahul to play a key role in the middle order and get the team out of trouble in tough times.
Vihari also expressed confidence in Rahul’s abilities and said that the 32-year-old will play a big knock in the Kanpur Test against Bangladesh and cement his place at No. 6.
“I feel like the manager and selector of the team, someone at number six to guide the team if they are in trouble, or play the second new ball and take it forward from there. Obviously, he needs to score runs to support the team’s decision.” Furthermore, he started well, in the second of the last game.
“Unfortunately, he didn’t have enough time to achieve a big score or a substantial score, but I am sure that in Kanpur, where the terrain is nice when the opportunity arises, he will achieve it in a big way and consolidate his place at number one. six, which is important for team India when they tour Australia,” Vihari added.