Former Indian cricketer Dodda Ganesh has come down hard on KL Rahul for not opening the innings for India in the first ODI against Zimbabwe. In the opening game of the ODI series against Zimbabwe, India clinched a clinical victory and defeated the hosts by 10 wickets. The hosts were bundled out for 189 and in response, India chased the total without even losing a wicket. With brilliant batting from India’s Vice Captain, Shikhar Dhawan and Shubman Gill, Zimbabwe was never in the game.
But, Indian Skipper KL Rahul, who was included in the squad to get match practice ahead of the Asia Cup, did not open the innings as India continued with their combination of Shikhar Dhawan and Shubman Gill at the top.
Indian Batting Icon KL Rahul was added to India’s squad for the ODI series in Zimbabwe at the last moment after he cleared the medical fitness test. Rahul was sent to Zimbabwe, keeping in mind the lack of match practice for the Karnataka batter ahead of the upcoming Asia Cup 2022 which is all set to begin on August 27.
Rahul was named captain for the Zimbabwe ODIs as he replaced Shikhar Dhawan, who was initially set to lead the second-string side. Notably, Rahul was also picked in India’s Asia Cup squad as vice-captain despite him not having played any T20Is this year. Rahul was last seen playing a T20 match for Lucknow Super Giants in the playoffs.
KL Rahul missed the home T20I series against South Africa after he was named captain as he underwent surgery for a sports hernia. Rahul was slated for a comeback during India’s tour of the West Indies in July but he was infected by Covid-19 ahead of India’s departure to the Caribbean.
It was expected that KL Rahul would get game time in the middle in the ODI series opener against Zimbabwe after vice-captain Shikhar Dhawan pointed out that the 3-match series will be useful for the skipper ahead of the Asia Cup.
Dodda Ganesh Feels KL Rahul Should Have Opened vs Zimbabwe
However, India opened with Shikhar Dhawan and Shubman Gill despite chasing only 190 in the first ODI. India retained the opening combination from the West Indies ODIs, keeping KL Rahul at No. 4, not giving KL ample opportunity to brush up his batting skills.
Ideally, KL Rahul should have opened the innings just to get some game time. He is bereft of batting in match conditions for a while #DoddaMathu #ZIMvIND #CricketTwitter
— Dodda Ganesh | ದೊಡ್ಡ ಗಣೇಶ್ (@doddaganesha) August 18, 2022
Addressing the issue, former Indian Fast Bowler Dodda Ganesh tweeted, “Ideally, KL Rahul should have opened the innings just to get some game time. He is bereft of batting in match conditions for a while,”. Ganesh in his tweet exclaimed that Kl Rahul should spend more time on the ground in match conditions to benefit India in Asia Cup 2022.