Show aggression with field placements, not attitude: Gautam Gambhir to KL Rahul

Former India batter Gautam Gambhir had a piece of advice to stand-in captain at the Wanderer's, KL Rahul. He advised Rahul to show aggression not by his words, but by his field placements, further adding that it would be better if he learns this faster.

With regular skipper Virat Kohli ruled out of the second Test due to back spasms, Rahul took over the reins, but it ended in a seven-wicket defeat for India. Speaking of Kohli's absence, Gambhir said, “We definitely missed Virat Kohli the batsman. Steven Smith, Joe Root, Kane Williamson, Rohit Sharma, these are the type of batters you miss." 

"And it is difficult to find their replacement, no matter what form they are in, because the expectation remains that they will score those big runs. But Kohli the captain, we missed him as well because he is so experienced and things turn simpler for experienced captains because they have been around for long."

Gambhir however remains confident that Rahul will get better with more opportunities coming his way.

“But KL Rahul, the more time he spends, the better he will learn, but the faster he learns the better it is. This is not like ODI or T20I captaincy, which is far easier because you don't have to focus much on field placements. In Test cricket you need to buy the wickets, sometimes even gamble with your choices," Gambhir explained.

"Like in the case of Bavuma, had he placed three slips instead of keeping one at the cover and tempted him into playing the drive maybe there could have been an opportunity for caught behind. But he kept a deep point which was a defensive mindset and it is something that he should be told about. You need to be an aggressive captain, not by attitude, but with your field placements."

Kohli is however set to return for the third and final Test in Cape Town, starting Tuesday (January 11). The three-match series is level at 1-1.