With KL Rahul back in the Indian XI today, it was expected that he would replace Ishan Kishan at the top of the order. Although he did come into the XI for Ishan Kishan, the Indian vice captain didn’t really open the batting and it was actually Rishabh Pant who was sent out to open by the Indian team management.
While a lot of people were quite surprised by the move because Pant was being groomed in the middle order role for quite some time, some Indian fans on twitter actually welcomed the move saying that given the kind of record KL Rahul has in the middle order in ODI cricket, he should be the permanent no. 4 for India.
The experiment with Pant didn’t pay dividends as the southpaw didn’t get going in the powerplay with the ball seaming around a little bit and with a bit of extra bounce on offer as well. But, KL Rahul played brilliantly at no. 4 and was looking all set for a big one before he unfortunately got run out while trying to come back for the second run.
KL Rahul is averaging over 50 in the middle order in ODI cricket
It’s very likely that going ahead, Shikhar Dhawan will open the batting for India in ODI cricket and Rishabh Pant will be slotted back into the middle order again, but the fans are of the view that even if there is a vacant spot at the top, KL Rahul shouldn’t be moved from his middle order position because of how good he is with the bat at no. 4.
Rahul averages over 50 while batt ing at no. 4 and 5 in ODI cricket which is higher than his average while opening the batting, even though he is a natural opener. And that’s why a lot of fans are in favor of him continuing in the middle order. Here is how twitter reacted after KL Rahul batted at no. 4 today –
Very interesting that with KL Rahul available, India have chosen to open with Pant. Tells me that there is a move towards looking at Rahul at no 4, where his numbers are good, as a long term option
Advertisement— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 9, 2022
KL Rahul batting at No.4/No.5 at home in ODIs:
Advertisement80, 62*, 108, 7, 49 (Today)*
Average: 76.50, SR: 111.27#INDvsWI
— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) February 9, 2022
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Indian middle order looks stable when KL at no:4 Surya at no:5 and pant at 6 #INDvWI
— RobinRoji_55 (@Robinroji1) February 9, 2022
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KL Rahul and SK Yadav are your best No. 4 and 5 respectively
Once Dhawan is back as an opener
Rishabh Pant is your No. 6 #INDvsWI— SARTHAK (@agarwalsarthak1) February 9, 2022
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KL rahul at no. 4 position is what should’ve been done long back, given the no. of options we have for opening slots. He’s way better than Iyer and others at 4th position. #INDvsWI
— ︎ ︎ ︎ ︎ ︎ ︎ ︎ ︎ ︎ ︎ ︎ ︎ ︎ ︎ ︎ ︎ ︎ ︎ ︎ ︎ ︎ ︎ ︎ ︎ ︎ (@InsidiousMafia_) February 9, 2022
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Today Expecting KL sambavam and want him to be permanent no. 4🙏
— Mohamed Jumail (@Mohamedjumail20) February 9, 2022
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Worldcup coming next year I would prefer KL Rahul at No 4 as wicket keeper batsmen so that we won't miss out talent like Surya/Iyer #INDvsWI
— Vinnu Namburi (@vinnu1239) February 9, 2022
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So KL's role is defined.. no.4 that's it👍#INDvWI @BCCI
— Believer!!! Living On a Pale Blue DOT🌏 (@HumanTsunaMEE) February 9, 2022
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Captain Rohit with his answer to the long waiting no 4 debate…. #KLRahul and giving #RishabhPant to unleash his power hitting gameplay up the order! #INDvWI #RohitSharma
— Pragyan Ojha (@pragyanojha) February 9, 2022
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kL Rahul(wk) at 4 and SKY at 5… middle order problem solved. Both are promising and versatile can hit boundary at their will. @BCCI#KLRahul #sky pic.twitter.com/pbrNIwDjVD
— Sagar (@crickkl) February 9, 2022
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