KL Rahul was excellent in the first IND vs AUS Test at Perth, where he scored 26 and 77 in the match, to contribute heavily towards India’s win. This, in the absence of skipper Rohit Sharma, who missed the match due to the birth of his second child. Cut to the build up of the second Test in Adelaide, Rohit is back, and now the question remains, who should be India’s opener — the former or Rahul?
Rohit Sharma Better Than KL Rahul?
There is no clear answer to this question and Gautam Gambhir and the management will face a stiff challenge in making a decision. But we can always make a statistical comparison, as to who is more suited. For starters, let us just compare KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma’s numbers as openers in Australia, and overall batting stats Down Under. That would be a fair indicator to start with.
Rohit played his first Test in AUS in 2014 and in 7 matches has scored 408 runs at an average of 31. His highest is 63 and has only three fifties to his name. As an opener in the nation, in two matches, he has failed to impress much, scoring 129 runs and two fifties, at an average of 32. Even though that is his more successful position in Australia, still he hasn’t performed as well.
On the other hand, Rahul has fared poorer than his skipper. The Bangalore player, in six matches has only scored 290 runs at an average of 26. That includes a ton and a fifty too. As an opener, he has scored 286 runs in five encounters, at an average of 31. So honestly, there isn’t much to choose between the two — numbers-wise.
Rahul Suited to Open in IND vs AUS 2nd Test
But what might work in KL Rahul’s favour is, current form. The 32-year-old looked solid in Perth and the D/N practice match at Canberra, where he scored 27 not out vs AUS PM XI. If that match is a fair indicator Rahul opened in the match, along with Yashasvi Jaiswal, with Shubman Gill at No. 3 and Rohit at No. 4.
There too, Rohit failed, and scored only 3. In fact, his last four Test innings have recorded scores of 0, 8, 18, and 11, and his last ton came in March vs England at Dharamsala. And, Rahul looked solid against the moving pink ball at the practice match too. So, India could consider giving him a longer rope at the top of the order.
