Gautam Gambhir backs KL Rahul amid poor form and harsh criticism

After a poor outing in the first and second Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy, KL Rahul’s position in the playing XI has been under the scanner. The selection committee too isn’t sure about his role and thus, the opener was removed as the vice-captain of the Indian red-ball team.

On top of that, former India international Venkatesh Prasad has been very vocal about his underwhelming numbers and believes that he shouldn’t be getting so many opportunities despite poor form.

However, former India opener Gautam Gambhir feels that KL Rahul should be backed as every cricketer goes through a lean patch in their careers. He clearly mentioned that the 30-year-old shouldn’t get dropped from the national team as he has a lot of potential and one should always back talented cricketers.

“KL Rahul should not be dropped from the Indian side. One should not single out any player. Everyone goes through a lean patch. No one, no cricket pundit or anyone should tell him that he is not doing well and be dropped,” Gambhir said as quoted by The Times of India.

“You have to back players who have talent. Look at Rohit Sharma. He also had a lean patch. Look at the way he started his career. He had a late flourish. Compared (earlier times) to how he is performing now. Everyone could see his talent and backed him. Now see the result. He is going great guns. Rahul can do the same,” the 41-year-old added.

Let’s not axe anyone and appreciate the team’s performance: Gambhir

The southpaw also stated that since India are currently in the driver’s seat, there’s no need to axe anyone and everyone should rather appreciate the team’s performance. He also lauded Rahul by calling him a great player and appreciated him for scoring runs in international cricket.

“India is 2-0 up and not 0-2 down. So let's not axe anyone and appreciate the team's performance. I think the Indian team management is right in backing KL Rahul. He is a great player. He had scored runs in international cricket,” the mentor of the Lucknow Super Giants added.

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