India missing KL Rahul 'quite a bit' against South Africa: Aakash Chopra

Former India batter Aakash Chopra said that India is missing their opening batter, KL Rahul, for the ongoing T20I series against South Africa, following the team’s loss in Cuttack. He explained that when the opposition sees players such as KL, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma missing from the team, the confidence levels are different.

Chopra, also an active analyst and commentator, said that nobody has been talking about South Africa missing players such as Quinton de Kock and Aiden Markram since they have been winning. The Proteas won the first two games of T20I matches and are one win away from wrapping up the series over the hosts. “No one is saying South Africa is missing (Aiden) Markram or (Quinton) de Kock. The opposite happens when the team loses,” said Chopra.

When a team wins, no one misses anyone: Aakash Chopra

Indians came into the series without their senior players such as Rohit, Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah, and KL Rahul was handed the captaincy for the five T20Is. Just before the start of the series, India faced a setback with Rahul being ruled out due to a groin injury, and the captaincy role was given to Rishabh Pant.

Chopra, on India missing Rahul, said on his YouTube channel, “Quite a bit. When the opposition sees names like Rahul, Rohit, and Virat missing in India’s batting order, their confidence is of a different level. But when a team wins, no one misses anyone.”

India lost the first match after the visitors chased down a target of 212 with seven wickets in hand and five balls to spare, courtesy of an unbeaten partnership of 131 by Rassie van der Dussen and David Miller. In the second game, South Africa chased down 149 with four wickets in hand and ten balls to spare, thanks to the heroics of Heinrich Klaasen, who scored 81 runs off 46 balls.

With India needing three wins on the spin, a few changes can be expected in the team’s playing XI going into the third game in Vishakapattanam on June 14 (Tuesday).