KL Rahul has been under the radar of critics off lately. Though, there is no question about the talent and potential of KL Rahul, however, his inconsistent performances and poor form have seen the player getting subjected to criticism.
KL didn’t have a great time in 2022 as he was seen struggling to score runs. He managed 137 runs in Tests, 251 runs in ODIs, and 434 runs in T20Is. Due to his poor performances, he was recently replaced by Hardik Pandya as Rohit’s deputy in the ODI format of the game. He has been demoted from his position and is now reduced to the position of wicketkeeper-batsman, though.
Gautam Gambhir Gave A Warning To KL Rahul
Former Indian cricketer and world cup winner Gautam Gambhir, who works with KL Rahul in Lucknow Super Giants, opined that KL Rahul needs to perform or someone else will take his spot in the team. It has to be noted that the batter is not included in the Indian squad for the upcoming T20I series against Sri Lanka, while he will return for the ODI series against SL. Speaking in Star Sports’ show ‘A Chat with Champions’, Gambhir said:
“You can only control what you can control. You can’t control the selectors, you can’t control what’s going to happen in the next series. You’ve got three ODIs against Sri Lanka. If are going to play that, just be in the present. And that’s all you can control. The moment you start to think about uncontrollable things, you’re putting undue pressure (on yourself).”
He added: “If you don’t perform, eventually someone else will take your position. That’s not only with Sanju or KL, that is with Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma as well. That’s what international cricket is all about, you got to accept it. There is no one who is indispensable. So, you got three ODIs, you bat in the middle-order, try and get those runs, because ultimately it’s the performance that keeps you in the side. Not the name or how much talent you have,”
The Indian cricket team will kickstart 2023 with three T20Is and as many ODIs against Sri Lanka at home. The matches between the two sides will start with the shortest format at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on January 3, 2022. The ODI series will kick off on January 10.
