IND vs SL: Gautam Gambhir advises KL Rahul to make the most of ODI series vs Sri Lanka

KL Rahul’s time in international cricket has been below par as of late. The Indian opener is struggling to get going as he failed to prove himself in the recently concluded T20 World Cup and also in other bilateral series. Looking at his downfall, the outgoing All India Selection Committee removed the wicket keeper-batter from the vice-captaincy position in white-ball cricket and his future in T20Is looks dull at the moment.

Following the squad announcement for the Sri Lanka series, former India international and KL Rahul’s mentor in the Indian Premier League, Gautam Gambhir reminded the cricketer that there’s always someone who can replace him in the squad. He mentioned that no one is indispensable in the team and even the likes of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli can lose their spot if they do not perform on a consistent basis.

“If you don't perform, someone else will take your position. That's not only with Sanju or KL, it's with Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma as well. If they don't perform, you will start questioning about their positions too. That's what international cricket is about. No one is indispensable. So you got three ODIs, you bat in the middle-order, try and get those runs, because ultimately it's the performance that keeps you in the side. Not the name, not your talent,” Gambhir said in Star Sports’ A Chat with Champions show.

Gautam Gambhir shares how KL Rahul can improve in Sri Lanka series

The 2011 World Cup winner also shared how the 30-year-old can improve in the Sri Lanka series. The 41-year-old mentioned that Rahul needs to live in the moment and not think about things that are beyond his reach. He also stated that the opener can’t put himself in undue pressure against the Lanka lions.

“You can only control what you can control. You can't control selectors, you can't control what's going to happen in the next series. You got three ODIs against Sri Lanka. If you play that, just be in the present. That's all you can control. The moment you start to think about uncontrollable things, you're putting undue pressure on yourself,” Gambhir added.

The Karnataka batter averages 44 in ODIs and will remain under observation in the upcoming series.