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Former Pakistani cricketer Basit Ali believes that Team India should rest senior batter KL Rahul for the second Test of the ongoing home series against New Zealand. Ali believes he should be replaced by top-order batter Shubman Gill if he is fit. He suggested that Sarfaraz Khan should not be the one losing his place in the side after a brilliant 150-run knock in the series opener in Bengaluru.
Basit opined that Rahul's performances in home Tests haven't been up to the mark. He added that it was time that the Indian team management benched him for the forthcoming fixture. In a video shared on his YouTube channel Basit Ali, he said (from 8:47):
"Once Shubman Gill is fit, there should not be an injustice to Sarfaraz Khan. KL Rahul should be rested now. People rate him very highly, but his performances haven't been like that. He did very well in South Africa but hasn't done the same in home matches."
Sarfaraz Khan was included in the Indian playing XI for the Bengaluru Test after Shubman Gill missed out due to pain in his neck and shoulder. He made the most of the opportunity, notching up his maiden Test ton. KL Rahul, on the other hand, had a dismal outing, registering scores of 0 and 12.
Basit pointed out that the onus was on Rahul to steady the ship after the dismissals of the well-set Sarfaraz and Rishabh Pant but he failed to deliver. Ali added (from 3:09):
"A lot depended on KL Rahul after Sarfaraz Khan and Rishabh Pant got out. He has played a lot of Test matches and is everyone's favorite. However, he disappointed me today."
It is worth mentioning that KL Rahul scored 106 runs across three innings during India's previous two-match home Test series against Bangladesh.
"KL Rahul will be the one under most pressure" - Manoj Tiwary
Former Indian batter Manoj Tiwary also suggested that KL Rahul will be under a lot of pressure after his twin failures in the Bengaluru Test. He mentioned that Shubman Gill would be an automatic selection, given that he had scored a hundred in the Bangladesh Test series.
Tiway, however, reckoned that Rahul would be the first-choice over Sarfaraz Khan in the initial Tests of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test series against Australia. He said to Cricbuzz:
"You cannot remove Shubman Gill as of now because he scored a hundred in the previous series and he also has a very good record. When he recovers from his stiff neck, he will become an automatic choice. KL Rahul will be the one under most pressure.
"Even if Rahul doesn't score runs in the next two Tests, he will still get preference for the initial Tests in Australia. But, if he doesn't perform there as well, then Sarfaraz could come into the playing XI. I feel Sarfaraz should also get a fair opportunity. It is good that the players who are in the reserves are performing. There will definitely be pressure on some players in the playing XI."
Meanwhile, India have set a 107-run target for New Zealand in the ongoing Bengaluru Test on the final day (October 20). After being bowled out for just 46 in the first innings, the Men in Blue made a strong comeback, registering 462 in the subsequent essay.
