Cricket

“You had a guilty conscience that you don’t do justice with KL Rahul” – Aakash Chopra on Virat Kohli batting at No. 3 in IND vs NZ 2024 1st Test

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra feels KL Rahul should have batted at number three in the first innings of the opening Test match against New Zealand at M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru on Thursday after India was crumbled out for only 46. With Shubman Gill ruled out with a stiff neck, many experts thought that Rahul would have been an ideal choice for one down as he has the experience of facing the new red ball as an opener.

However, India decided to promote Virat Kohli to number three, but the former Indian captain was dismissed for a nine-ball duck after he received a snorter from William O’Rourke and was caught by Glenn Phillips at leg gully.

Rahul, on the other hand, batted at number six but he was also dismissed for a blob to an innocuous delivery down the leg side.

“You were trying to do justice with KL Rahul, that you told him No. 6, so he would go at No. 6. If you wanted to do justice with everyone, you could have put Sarfaraz at No. 3. However, you didn’t want to do that because you don’t have the confidence. When you see Sarfaraz playing, and I am not taking anything away from his game, you feel he is a middle-order batter,” Aakash Chopra said on Colors Cineplex.

“He plays at No. 5 or No. 6 for his Ranji Trophy team. Ideally, Rahul should have been there because he has opened previously and is best suited. However, you had a guilty conscience that you don’t do justice with KL Rahul, so you don’t want to trouble him once more. So his batting order would remain the same,” the former India opener added.

On the other hand, Chopra noted that Virat Kohli didn’t bat at number three even when he was leading the team.

“However, then Virat Kohli will ask the question, that he had earned the right (to bat at No. 4). It’s not that the No. 3 spot would have never opened up. Virat Kohli had even dropped (Cheteshwar) Pujara under his captaincy but he did not come at No. 3. He used to come at No. 4 then also,” he said.

“Opportunities came when he could have moved himself up but he hadn’t done that. You have done that today after 2016. So the question is there that you did justice with one but for the other, was it uncalled for or not? They will figure it out once they look back,” Chopra observed.

India registered their lowest Test score in home conditions and their third-ever lowest in Test cricket. New Zealand currently leads by 134 runs and has a huge advantage.

About the Author


Written by DafaNews

DafaNews brings you the most highlighted news in the world of Sports. It serves you up-to-date matches, scores, live streams, fantasy games and quizzes. Our news covers India's prestigious leagues and events – Premier League, Pro Kabbadi League, Cricket World Cup and many more. Follow DafaNews on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter,Telegram and Youtube for more updates.

Related Post
Share
Published by
DafaNews

Recent Posts

Pittsburgh’s Path to Glory: Analyzing the Steelers’ Playoff Chances

The Pittsburgh Steelers enter the NFL Playoffs under unique and challenging circumstances, setting up a… Read More

January 13, 2025

Cleveland Browns’ Stadium Relocation: A Community Divided

The Cleveland Browns’ proposed stadium relocation has sparked a heated debate among fans, city officials,… Read More

January 13, 2025

Tyreek Hill and the Dolphins: Contract Negotiations Loom Large

Tyreek Hill’s future with the Miami Dolphins has become a hot topic following his recent… Read More

January 13, 2025

Federico Chiesa Faces Tough Path to Liverpool First Team

Federico Chiesa’s arrival at Liverpool brought him high expectations, but the Italian winger’s journey to… Read More

January 13, 2025

Ryan Giggs Breaks Silence Ahead of Salford City’s FA Cup Clash With Manchester City

Ryan Giggs, co-owner and sporting director of Salford City, has largely kept a low profile… Read More

January 13, 2025

Girona vs. Sevilla Preview

Girona hosts Sevilla in what promises to be an entertaining LaLiga game on Saturday. Girona… Read More

January 13, 2025