Former Indian skipper Mohammed Azharuddin reckons KL Rahul is a good player but he needs to be more consistent. Rahul has been under the pump in recent times for his indifferent form and he needs to consistently deliver the goods for the team.

Rahul scored a fine little cameo of 29-ball 39 in the first ODI against Sri Lanka on Tuesday but got out after settling at the crease. The flamboyant batter had led in the two-match Test series against Bangladesh but he could not lead from the front with the bat.

Azharuddin feels Rahul is getting dismissed on poor deliveries as his shot selection isn’t the best.

“I think consistency is the problem in KL Rahul’s case. But I think there are coaches who should rectify his flaws. In my opinion, he is a good player but consistency is missing in his game,” Azharuddin told PTI.

“I think Rahul is getting out in a lot of manners. Primarily, it is not the good balls that are getting him out. It is poor shot selection first up that is causing problems,” said Azhar.

Meanwhile, Azharuddin, who was well known for his flick shots, added Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will perform consistently for the team in the ODI World Cup later in the year.

“Both are very good and classy players and they have done well in the past too, as the records say. I do believe Kohli and Rohit will do fairly well in the World Cup. In the ODI format, they have always been pretty consistent,” Azharuddin said.

On the other hand, the former skipper feels Hardik Pandya holds the key for the team as an all-rounder but he needs to be cautious of injuries.

“Hardik has looked good as a leader and seems that he can carry the team along. But he needs to be careful about his back as he had been out for a long time,” Azharuddin said.

“India would need Hardik, the all-rounder and we can’t afford to risk injuries. Hardik has got a young team and that is the way forward. To forge a winning combination, it will need strong co-ordination for the upcoming T20 series.”

India will take on Sri Lanka in the second ODI on Thursday at the iconic Eden Gardens, Kolkata.