KL Rahul Form Worries India: ‘Hardik Pandya’ Strategy Under Fire, Gambhir Urged to Rethink Before Champions Trophy

Published on: February 11, 2025

KL Rahul Form Worries India: ‘Hardik Pandya’ Strategy Under Fire, Gambhir Urged to Rethink Before Champions Trophy

Aakash Chopra Questions KL Rahul Role in India’s ODI Setup Ahead of Champions Trophy

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has voiced concerns over KL Rahul’s role in the Indian ODI team despite their recent series victory against England. With just one match left before the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, Chopra has urged head coach Gautam Gambhir to take a decisive call on India’s wicketkeeping and middle-order strategy.

KL Rahul’s Struggles Since the 2023 World Cup

While KL Rahul played a crucial role in India’s 2023 ODI World Cup campaign—scoring 452 runs at an average of 75.33 in 10 innings—his recent performances have been underwhelming. Since the World Cup, Rahul has managed only 120 runs in six innings, registering just one fifty while also getting out for a duck once.

His struggles have been particularly evident in India’s last few matches, including the ongoing series against England and the Sri Lanka tour in early 2024. In these games, Rahul has failed to make a significant impact, which has sparked debates about his suitability for the No. 6 position in the batting order.

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India’s Current Middle-Order Strategy

India’s recent team combinations have seen KL Rahul being slotted at No. 6 in the batting lineup. This move came after the team management opted to send left-handed all-rounder Axar Patel at No. 5. The idea behind this decision appears to be achieving a left-right batting balance in the middle order, but the results have not been promising.

Chopra believes that Rahul is not well-suited for this position and that his presence at No. 6 has affected the team’s overall balance.

“There’s still an ongoing development, but whether the Indian team can find a solution remains to be seen. KL Rahul is currently batting at No. 6, but is he the ideal choice for that position? That’s a major question,” Chopra stated.

“A left-hander is being sent ahead of him, and Rahul has struggled to score in both these matches as well as the two games he played in Sri Lanka. So what’s the next move?”

Hardik Pandya’s Batting Position Under Scrutiny

Another major concern highlighted by Chopra is the batting position of India’s star all-rounder, Hardik Pandya. Currently, the team has been playing Pandya at No. 7, a position where he has often struggled to make an impact with the bat. Chopra believes that keeping Hardik this low in the order is not the most effective strategy.

“With this setup—Rahul at No. 6, Hardik at No. 7, and Jadeja at No. 8—it raises concerns. While Jadeja at No. 8 might still be acceptable, having Hardik at No. 7 seems too low for his batting abilities. This strategy doesn’t seem ideal,” Chopra pointed out.

Pandya, who has been one of India’s premier finishers and an aggressive middle-order batter, thrives best when given more time to settle in and build an innings. By placing him at No. 7, India is limiting his ability to play substantial innings, especially in situations where the top order has not provided a strong foundation.

Should India Consider Rishabh Pant as the Wicketkeeper?

One of the biggest debates ahead of the Champions Trophy is whether India should persist with KL Rahul as the wicketkeeper or look at other options—most notably Rishabh Pant.

While Rahul has kept wickets effectively in ODIs, his recent batting struggles at No. 6 have raised concerns about whether India should instead bring in Pant, who offers a more aggressive batting style and a left-handed option in the middle order.

Chopra has suggested that Gambhir should seriously evaluate whether Pant could be a better fit in the current lineup. Given India’s recent emphasis on a left-right batting combination, Pant’s inclusion at No. 6 could help balance the team better than relying on Rahul in that role.

“Is it time to bring in Rishabh Pant? He could be a better fit at No. 6 since the team already needs a left-hander in the lineup. India is still searching for the right balance, but time is running out,” Chopra remarked.

India’s Search for the Right Batting CombinationWith the Champions Trophy just around the corner, India is still in the process of fine-tuning its squad. The middle order has been a long-standing concern, and while Rahul has proven his ability in the past, his current form has cast doubt over his role.

Chopra’s observations highlight a crucial issue—India needs to finalize a stable middle-order strategy before the tournament begins. If Rahul continues to struggle at No. 6, it may not only impact his own performance but also disrupt the overall balance of the team.

Possible Solutions for India’s Middle Order

India has several options to consider when structuring their middle order for the Champions Trophy:
1. Move Hardik Pandya to No. 6:
• If India insists on playing KL Rahul, they could promote Hardik Pandya to No. 6 and push Rahul to No. 7. This would allow Hardik more time to settle in and play impactful innings.
2. Replace KL Rahul with Rishabh Pant:
• Bringing in Pant as the wicketkeeper at No. 6 would give India a left-handed option and a more aggressive batter in the middle order.
3. Adjust Axar Patel’s Position:
• Instead of sending Axar at No. 5, India could push him down to No. 7, allowing a more experienced batter to occupy the No. 5 or No. 6 role.
4. Consider Sanju Samson or Ishan Kishan:
• If Rahul’s form does not improve, India could also explore other wicketkeeping options like Sanju Samson or Ishan Kishan, both of whom can contribute aggressively with the bat.

India’s Projected Playing XI for the ODI Series vs England

Gambhir’s Crucial Decision Before the Champions Trophy

As India prepares for their final ODI before the Champions Trophy, head coach Gautam Gambhir will have to make some tough calls regarding the team’s middle-order combination.

KL Rahul’s role in the side remains uncertain, and unless he produces a standout performance in the upcoming game, the team management might be forced to rethink their plans.

Additionally, the placement of Hardik Pandya in the batting lineup needs serious reconsideration. If India continues to deploy him at No. 7, they risk underutilizing one of their most dangerous finishers.

With only limited time left before the ICC event, every decision will be critical in shaping India’s chances at the Champions Trophy.

Conclusion

Aakash Chopra’s concerns over KL Rahul’s form and India’s middle-order strategy highlight the need for immediate action. India has been backing Rahul based on his World Cup performance, but his recent struggles indicate that the team must reevaluate its options.

Hardik Pandya’s batting position also needs a reassessment, as playing him too low in the order might not be the best use of his abilities. With Rishabh Pant waiting in the wings, India has a potential alternative who could strengthen the lineup.

As the final game before the Champions Trophy approaches, Gambhir and the team management must make crucial decisions that could determine India’s success in the tournament. Will they persist with KL Rahul, or will they make the bold move of replacing him? The answer will unfold in the coming days.