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Sunil Gavaskar speaks against KL Rahul’s inclusion as backup opener

Dixit Bhargav
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Sunil Gavaskar speaks against KL Rahul's inclusion

Sunil Gavaskar speaks against KL Rahul’s inclusion: The legendary Indian cricketer was at odds with naming KL Rahul in the ODI squad.

There is no escaping from the reality that the imminent ODI series against Australia will more or less confirm India’s squad for ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. While most of the squad has been known, there is still some confusion over a couple of spots.

A reserve opening batsman, a backup wicket-keeper and to pick one between specialist fast bowler or all-rounder remains the key facets where the Indian team management and selectors would be looking to take a final decision on.

The two T20Is and five ODIs against Australia have it in them to prove critical for the contenders who will be pressing their case for the trip to England. Wicket-keeper batsman Dinesh Kathik, who was left out from the squad, will also have his eyes on the same for he still remains in contention for the second wicket-keeper’s spot.

Gavaskar urges for flexibility

Sunil Gavaskar, former India captain and the first batsman to score 10,000+ runs in Test matches, urged for the need of flexibility in the team during a recent interview with India Today.

“There should be flexibility in the team. Dinesh Karthik has opened in Test matches in the past so he can do it in ODIs too,” Gavaskar was quoted as saying on the third opener’s spot.

After bein suspended from international cricket, Lokesh Rahul once against got the nof after the selectors named him in the squad. Coming on the back of an extended lean patch, it won’t be easy for him to perform straightaway. If not Rahul, India might also look at playing Ambati Rayudu as their No. 4 and reserve opener, if the need arises.

Gavaskar confirms 13 names

Gavaskar further disclosed that he has 13 names in his mind who are sure to board the flight to England. Much like the rest of the country, even he would be waiting for how things proceed in the Australia series.

“I have 13 names in my mind who will surely board the flight to England and they are Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni, Kedar Jadhav, Hardik Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Kuldeep Yadav,” Gavaskar added.

About the author

Dixit Bhargav

Dixit Bhargav

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Born and brought up in Pathankot, Dixit Bhargav is an engineering and sports management graduate who works as a Cricket Editor at The SportsRush. Having written more than 10,000 articles across more than five years at TSR, his first cricketing memory dates back to 2002 when former India captain Sourav Ganguly had waved his jersey at the historic Lord’s balcony. What followed for an 8-year-old was an instant adulation for both Ganguly and the sport. The optimist in him is waiting for the day when Punjab Kings will win their maiden Indian Premier League title. When not watching cricket, he is mostly found in a cinema hall watching a Punjabi movie.

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