NEW DELHI: Workforce India’s preparations seem like on the right track forward of the extremely anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy, set to start on November 22. Within the difficult tour Down Underneath, India will goal for a historic hat-trick of collection wins.
After sweeping Bangladesh, the main focus shifts to replicating that success in opposition to the visiting New Zealand workforce, with one key goal: resolving the middle-order puzzle.
The omission of Sarfaraz Khan from the taking part in XI in opposition to Bangladesh sparked appreciable debate, particularly after his spectacular debut collection in opposition to England, the place he scored three fifties. Regardless of this, Sarfaraz has needed to bide his time for an additional alternative.
In his place, India picked KL Rahul for the 2 Assessments in opposition to Bangladesh.
The trendy right-hander, who has 52 Assessments below his belt, scoring 2969 runs at a mean of 34.52, managed 16 and an unbeaten 22 within the first Take a look at in Chennai earlier than smashing a fluent 68 within the second Take a look at in Kanpur.
With the collection opener in opposition to New Zealand scheduled on the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Wednesday (October 16), the important thing query resurfaces: Will India proceed to again KL Rahul over Sarfaraz for the opening Take a look at?
‘HAPPY HUNTING GROUND’
Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, KL Rahul’s residence floor, might very nicely tilt the choice in his favour.
The venue has been a cheerful searching floor for Rahul, the place he has performed two Assessments, scoring 195 runs at a formidable common of 65.00. His standout performances embrace scores of 90 and 51 in opposition to Australia in 2017, incomes him the Participant of the Match accolade.
In his second Take a look at on the venue, he contributed 54 runs in a one-off Take a look at in opposition to Afghanistan in 2018, serving to India safe a large innings victory.
Heading into the opening Take a look at in opposition to New Zealand, the focus will once more be on KL Rahul. India will hope that he delivers with the bat and has a stable run within the three-match collection to bolster his case for the all-important Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
‘EXPERIENCED HAND’
India will look to tick all of the packing containers earlier than the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
The highest order is settled, with captain Rohit Sharma set to open alongside the in-form Yashasvi Jaiswal. Shubman Gill will take the No. three spot, adopted by Virat Kohli at No. 4, and the dynamic wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant coming in at No. 5.
The No. 6 place, nevertheless, stays undecided, with KL Rahul and Sarfaraz Khan vying for the spot.
Given the significance of expertise in Australian circumstances, KL Rahul shall be keen to attain runs in opposition to New Zealand and cement his place.
Rahul has beforehand featured in two Border-Gavaskar collection — the 2014-15 and 2018-19 editions.
In 2014-15, he performed two Assessments, scoring 130 runs at a mean of 32.50, together with a century in Sydney. Nevertheless, his 2018-19 tour was much less fruitful, as he managed solely 57 runs in three Assessments, averaging 11.40.
Along with his prior expertise of taking part in in Australia, a robust efficiency in opposition to New Zealand might see KL Rahul emerge as India’s most popular selection for the middle-order function within the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
