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'Can't bat in nets and return to international cricket': Ex-India star picks injured KL Rahul's replacement
Sivaramakrishnan suggested the name of a youngster who stands a good chance to grab the middle-order's spot in Rahul's absence.
KL Rahul is slowly but surely on his way back to regaining full fitness. But there is still no clarity on his return date but according to reports, the wicketkeeper-batter is line to be fit for Ireland tour in August, a few weeks before the Asia Cup. Rahul underwent surgery in England after suffering an injury on his right thigh during an IPL 2023 match against Royal Challengers Bangalore in May. He has started his strength conditional training at the NCA in Bengaluru. There, however, is still no clarity on whether he has started his skill-based training - batting, fielding, and keeping.
If he has to play the Ireland series then Rahul should not be far from resuming batting at the nets. His optimum fitness is crucial to India as he is considered the first-choice keeper-batter for the ODI World Cup set to take place at home between October 5 and November 19. Rahul's performance in ODIs while batting at No.5 has also been second to none in the last couple of years, making him an important cog in India's wheels.
The big question, however, is whether Rahul should be straightaway drafted into the Indian squad without proving his match fitness. Former India cricketer Laxman Sivaramakrishnan thinks otherwise. The former leggie said batting in the nets is not enough to make an international comeback and Rahul should be considered for selection only after he proves his fitness in domestic matches.
"He should be made to play domestic cricket to assess his match fitness and batting form. Getting back into the Indian team should not be so easy, you bat in the nets and ready for international competition," Sivaramakrishnan said.
'Sai Sudharsan should be given a look': Sivaramakrishnan
Sivaramakrishnan suggested the name of a youngster who stands a good chance to grab the middle-order's spot in Rahul's absence.
"People like Sai Sudharsan need to be looked at, left-handed middle-order batsman," he tweeted.
After having a pretty good domestic season with Tamil Nadu, Sudharsan proved his mettle in IPL 2023. Batting in the top order for the Gujarat Titans, the stylish left-hander scored 362 in 8 matches at a strike rate of 141.41.
When a fan said that it will help Sudharsan if he also starts to contribute with the ball, Sivaramakrishnan said: "Batsmen are supposed to get runs and bowlers are supposed to take wickets. Part-time bowling is only when the side is in trouble."
The problem, however, with this, is the fact Rahul is not selected in the ODIs only as a batter but also as someone who keeps wickets. With Rishabh Pant all but of the World Cup, India would not want to risk trying out new options with just three months to for the mega event.
