"Down On Confidence...": Ex-India Star's Brutal Verdict On KL Rahul As Opener Against Australia

Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar believes that right-hand batter KL Rahul is not the ideal option for India's opening slot in the first Test of the upcoming five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 against Australia as he doesn't have a lot of confidence in himself at the moment. The first Test of the highly-anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy will be played at Perth's Optus Stadium from November 22 onwards. "It's not like KL Rahul as an opening option is setting the stage on fire. Going by the reality, KL Rahul currently you can see, you've got to feel for him, I love him as a player the kind of talent he has. He looks a bit down on confidence and you don't want someone like him batting at the top of the order because much of the tempo of the innings is set at the start number 1,2 and 3," Manjrekar was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

Manjrekar further stated that he feels that Rahul would bat perfectly at number six and will provide value to the team at that position.

"I'm going by KL Rahul for the work he's done down the order and very recently in South Africa. He was batting at number six with a softer Kookaburra ball and if he has to bat with the tailenders, I feel he will be terrific where he's got the big game as well. So I see KL better used and more chances of KL Rahul adding value to the team at that position," he added.

Rahul left the nets early during India's intra-squad match simulation on Friday as he was hit on his elbow by a Prasidh Krishna delivery. The blow forced KL to leave the ground and seek medical attention and he did not return for Saturday's training session when India's main batters were having a hit at the crease, as per ESPNCricinfo.

Rahul put in some solid work in nets on Sunday, in