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KL Rahul A Like-For-Like Replacement For Virat Kohli No. 4: Matthew Hayden
Follow UsThe 33-year-old is expected to open with Yashasvi Jaiswal in the Test series against England
With Virat Kohli announcing his retirement a month ago, India have a vacant spot at No. 4. There are a couple of contenders for the spot, including skipper Shubman Gill and the returning Karun Nair for the Test series against England.
However, former Australia batter Matthew Hayden believes that it should be KL Rahul to slot in at four as he is the best batter India have at their disposal. As things stand, Rahul will open the batting along with Yashasvi Jaiswal.
“I have just got one other issue here as well. KL Rahul will open. I am just going to make that call. My problem with that is I believe he is your best player in Test match cricket. He can be a like-for-like replacement of Virat Kohli, absolutely custom-made at No. 4," Hayden told StarSports, as reported by SportsTak.
“The reason why I don't like him as an opening batter, and we saw this in Australia as well, he gets out 57% of the time caught behind, nicked off. So he looks so technically sound, how amazing is it, and then suddenly he is out."
Hayden believes Rahul has the capability to absorb the pressure and then take the attack to the opposition if India lose a couple of quick wickets.
“For me, that bit of protection around your best player, KL Rahul, is a sure thing in English conditions, and maybe the best place to bat in England as well. When the damage is done with the new ball, you can come in and you can just set out your stalls," Hayden said.
“It can be the hardest place to bat, and then it can be the easiest place to bat in the world as well when the sun is out and it's shining, and you are just there going 'Hello, I am batting all day here.' To me, that's the key point of difference. It's not going to happen. I don't believe, but if I were a selector, that's what would happen,” he concluded.
The 33-year-old has batted just twice at No. 4 in his 58 Tests, which was against England in Hyderabad last year. The five-match Test series against England will get underway from June 20 (Friday) onwards at Headingley.