Anil Kumble bats for more chances for underfire KL Rahul

Former Indian cricketer Anil Kumble has come out in support of Indian opener KL Rahul. KL Rahul has had a rough run with the bat in the recent times. During the England tour earlier this year, he had a terrible time in the Test series. It was only in the final Test of the series when he managed to score a brilliant ton to save some good memories for himself from the tour.

Currently, he is in Australia with the national side. He had a poor outing in Adelaide and is now hoping to turn things around on a spicy Perth wicket. He will be under some serious pressure to perform. While many pundits are putting him under the pump, Anil Kumble has come out in his support. He noted that the youngster is immensely talented and he has done enough to earn some extra time in the Indian dressing room.

”KL Rahul hasn’t had a consistent run in the international cricket. [Rahul] He hasn’t been someone who has put in a score and then followed it up with another good score and that’s something I am sure must be playing in his mind. Rahul looks a bit confused at the moment. Should he go and play his natural game or should he take some time, I think that’s where the mindset is,” Anil Kumble told CNN-News18.

”Yes, he has already played 30-plus Test matches and isn’t a youngster anymore, but at the same time it’s important that someone like Rahul needs that assurance, saying that look, you are going to play the next six innings and that gives you a mindset that the team management is backing me and I can go out there and play the way I want to. I think that’s something that’s needed. I am not sure if that conversation has happened,” he added further.

‘Deserves more chances’

Commenting further on why he reckons that the Karnataka lad deserves more chances, Anil Kumble revealed a story about the grit of the young batter. Kumble recalled that KL risked his injury when the Australian team had toured India. Despite having an injury, he continued to play because he knew that if he sits out, it would become very tough to stage a comeback.

Kumble wants people to take note that such is the grit and courage of the player. He pointed out that not a lot of players take such risks when they know that things might deteriorate for their personal health.  He admitted that KL Rahul has got his fair amount of chances, but given the potential that he has, he needs to be given some more time, Kumble opined.

“When Australia toured India, he was instrumental in India winning the series. He had a brilliant series although he was injured. He continued to play and contributed to the win. Not many players do that. You know you have to get the surgery done after the series ends,” the former Indian captain revealed.

“Not many players put their hands up and say I will play for the team irrespective of whether it deteriorates; what if I miss six or eight months? It becomes very difficult to make a comeback to the team but he has taken that risk in the past. I think he needs to be given chances. I know he has had his share of failures but it’s not been consistent in terms of confidence you give to someone like KL Rahul,” he noted further.

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