Dinesh Karthik says top-order form leaves KL Rahul without game time
Dinesh Karthik said India's top-order batters are not at fault for KL Rahul's lack of opportunities in the West Indies ODI series.
Dinesh Karthik said India's in-form top-order batters cannot be blamed for KL Rahul's lack of game time in the ongoing ODI series against West Indies. Rahul has not faced a delivery across the first two matches, which India won by eight wickets each.
Karthik said the top order is obligated to bat big on good pitches and that Rahul would know the situation from his own experience at the top of the order. He expressed hope that Rahul gets a chance in the third ODI.
India captain Shubman Gill said after the second ODI that he wants to give opportunities to players who have not had game time. The third ODI is scheduled for New Chandigarh on Saturday.
CricHubb Take
Gill's stated desire to rotate players collides with the reality that India's top order is scoring centuries on flat pitches. The dilemma is whether to rest in-form batters to give others practice or keep winning while the winning formula works. Rahul's Ranji appearance for Karnataka suggests the team is looking for other ways to keep him sharp.