In a show of unwavering support, India’s assistant coach Abhishek Nayar has expressed confidence in KL Rahul’s ability to capitalize on his formidable potential and deliver consistent performances in his Test cricket career. Since his debut at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in 2014, Rahul’s journey in Test cricket has been a roller-coaster ride marked by sporadic brilliance and extended periods of mediocrity.
Rahul’s career has certainly had moments of glory. He logged a century in just his second Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), followed by significant contributions in matches held in Colombo, Kingston, London, and Centurion—where he remarkably scored centuries twice. However, these standout performances have been overshadowed by frequent bouts of inconsistent form. The statistics tell a rather underwhelming story: among Indian batsmen who have played 50 or more Test matches, Rahul’s average of 34.12 is the lowest.
Primarily playing as an opener for most of his career, Rahul has now found a role in the middle order, a position where Nayar is optimistic he can demonstrate his true potential. Ahead of the second Test against Bangladesh in Kanpur, Nayar shed light on Rahul’s current state of mind and abilities.
“When you are playing for India, inspiration is not something you need,” Nayar said. “Sometimes it is just direction, and I feel, having spent a little time with KL in the last few days, he is someone who understands his game very well. Yes, there are times when a player is sort of finding his feet.”
Nayar referred to Rahul’s “tremendous knocks” during the recent tour of South Africa as a testament to his abilities. “We are very hopeful with the kind of conversation that Gautam Gambhir and I have had with him that hopefully, we can have a turnaround in KL as well. These things sometimes take time,” he added.
Rahul’s performance in the first Test against Bangladesh, held in Chennai, seemed promising despite the quick declaration that cut short his innings. Registering scores of 16 and 22* in the two innings, Rahul showed flashes of his potential according to Nayar. “Even in the last game, I know we did not end up giving him much of a shot in the second innings, but the way he was batting is the kind of cricket we are expecting and hoping from him,” Nayar explained. “I am pretty sure going forward you will see the expectations and the performances that you have from him.”
Taking Rahul’s place in the middle order required Sarfaraz Khan to make way, a move that has caused some debate given Sarfaraz’s strong performances at the domestic level. Sarfaraz had notably scored three half-centuries in five innings against England before Rahul’s inclusion. Speaking on maintaining morale among players who are displaced, Nayar stressed the importance of clear communication and motivation.
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“The communication is very clear,” Nayar stressed. “The last Test match was 7-8 months ago and there has been a lot of time between then and now. Expectations from players and details on what they need to work on are clearly communicated. Every player is motivated, and to be part of the Indian team is a big thing. There are times when you have to sit out for someone else. Such times have come in the careers of even legends like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.”
Seeing Sarfaraz taking extra batting practice alongside Dhruv Jurel and Yashasvi Jaiswal ahead of the scheduled nets session hinted at his determination to remain in contention. “There will be times when a player has to make way for a senior player. It’s crucial in those times for the support staff to focus on growth and development. If players are even better when they come back, they will be ready to perform,” Nayar pointed out.
Regarding other prospective changes, Nayar hinted at the possibility of including additional spinners in the playing XI for the Kanpur Test. Rain forecasts and pitch conditions are factors they are yet to fully assess. “To be honest, I don’t know which surface we are going to play on yet,” Nayar revealed. “But both the pitches look pretty good. Kanpur is known for good pitches. A lot will depend on the conditions in the morning. In Test cricket, conditions play a huge role in how the pitch behaves.”
As the Indian team braces for varied conditions, Nayar remains cautiously optimistic and hopes for favorable weather. “We are hoping we come in tomorrow to a sunny day and not an overcast Kanpur,” he concluded.
The Indian team is gearing up for an intense showdown with Bangladesh, with Rahul and other key players ready to prove their mettle on the field. Nayar’s faith in Rahul’s potential underscores the delicate balance of talent, opportunity, and timing in sports, as India seeks to maintain its dominance in the cricketing world.