“India have found an all-format opening batter” – Dinesh Karthik reveals what MS Dhoni thought of a young KL Rahul

Former Indian all-rounder Dinesh Karthik has revealed what the former Indian captain MS Dhoni made of a young KL Rahul in his first impression. Dhoni told Karthik that India might have found an all-format opening batter when he noticed Rahul for the first time.

Karthik revealed Dhoni’s comments on KL Rahul during his commentary stint for Jio Cinema on the opening day of the first Test match against Bangladesh at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on Thursday.

“‘I remember there was an ODI in Ranchi and MS Dhoni had come to the gym. It was during the embryonic stages of KL Rahul’s career and he said, ‘I think India have found an all-format opening batter in KL Rahul.’ That was the opinion of MS Dhoni on KL Rahul.”

Meanwhile, Rahul was dismissed after scoring 16 runs off 52 balls. Rahul was caught brilliantly at short-leg by Zakir Hasan off the bowling of Mehidy Hasan Miraz.

Rahul has scored 2863 runs in 50 Test matches at an average of 34.08 and he is the only Indian batter who averages below 35 after playing 80 Test innings despite batting in the top six.

Rahul might not have delivered to his full potential in Test matches but he has been at his best in the ODI format. The flamboyant batter has scored 2851 runs in 77 ODI matches at an impressive average of 49.16. Rahul mostly bats in the middle order in Test as well as the 50-over format

However, Rahul was not picked in the T20 World Cup squad and he will need to turn the tables to earn his place back in the shortest format. Rahul has produced decent numbers in T20Is as he has amassed 2265 runs in 72 T20I matches at an average of 37.75 and a strike rate of 139.13.