Former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh believes KL Rahul should have batted with an attacking approach in the first innings of the first Test against Australia.
New Delhi,UPDATED: Feb 10, 2023 08:09 IST
IND vs AUS, 1st Test: KL Rahul could have scored more runs with an attacking approach, says Harbhajan Singh (AP Photo)
By India Today Web Desk: Former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh believes out-of-form opener KL Rahul could have scored more runs if he had batted with an attacking approach in the final session of Day 1 of the first Test against Australia. The team management chose the Indian vice-captain to open the innings alongside skipper Rohit Sharma over the prodigious Shubman Gill, but Rahul failed to impress with the bat in the series-opener against the Pat Cummins-led side.
After bowling out Australia for 177, India captain Rohit Sharma took the attack to the visitors in a masterclass of power-hitting and went on to score his 15th Test fifty in only 66 deliveries. While Rohit remained unbeaten on 56, Rahul, who batted defensively, was dismissed in the penultimate over of the day when Australian spinner Todd Murphy took an easy catch for his first Test wicket. Rahul managed to score only 20 runs off 71 balls, with only one boundary in his innings.
“KL Rahul would be disappointed as he was taking more time. I believe if he could have kept an attacking approach then he could have scored more. I hope in the second innings if he gets the chance to bat, he will score some runs for his own confidence,” Harbhajan Singh said while speaking on his official YouTube channel.
Nightwatchman Ravichandran Ashwin, who walked out to bat after Rahul’s dismissal, is yet to open his account, but India will be looking for a decisive first-innings lead when play resumes on Day 2 in Nagpur. Harbhajan stated that Rohit could reach a three-figure score on Day 2 while suggesting that India could easily surpass the 300-run mark.
“I am hoping that India scores 300-350 on this pitch,” he added. “Captain Rohit Sharma started a great inning (and) is not out with more than 50 runs. If he plays the entire first session then there will be expectations for a century.”
Harbhajan believes that if India score 350 in the first innings, the Australians will be unable to make a comeback due to the exponential turn that is likely to occur as the game progresses.
“If India scores anywhere near 350 then I doubt Australia will be able to score more than 200 in the second innings. The more you bowl on this pitch, the more it will spin. If it spins then Australia will surrender against India’s three spinners.”
