Mohammad Kaif backs KL Rahul to get a chance in playing XI in Virat Kohli's absence

Team India has started their defence of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in a disastrous manner as Australia thrashed them by eight wickets in the first Test at the Adelaide Oval. The hosts completely annihilated the visitors and bowled them out for their lowest-ever Test score to take the lead in the four-match series.

India had the upper hand when day three started on Saturday. Having taken a 53-run lead in the first innings, India had the chance to bat Australia out of the game. But what transpired on day three was totally unexpected as Australia’s pacers blew the visitors away. In a humiliating collapse, India were all out for just 36 to set the hosts a paltry target of 90 runs.

Not a single batsman managed to put up a fight during the second innings. Mayank Agarwal’s 9 runs being the top score completely tells the story of India’s horrific batting display. For the hosts, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins made the difference with the ball, taking five and four wickets respectively.

With the bat, Australia chased down the total for the loss of two wickets to take the lead in the four-match series. Joe Burns and Matthew Wade ensured that India do not get a chance to turn things around as they shared a 70-run stand for the first wicket. Burns finished the game with a six and also reached his fifty with the same shot.

KL Rahul should play:

In the wake of India’s disastrous batting display, former India batsman Mohammad Kaif has called for KL Rahul’s inclusion in the playing XI for the upcoming Test. Kaif pointed out Rahul’s red-hot form in limited-overs cricket and backed him to get a chance in the Test team in Virat Kohli‘s absence. The India skipper won’t play in the remainder of the series since he will return home for the birth of his child.

“When you talk about Melbourne, the problems are there. There are a lot of options if they want to make changes. KL Rahul and Shubman Gill are there. Virat Kohli will go back home after this Test match,” said Mohammad Kaif during a discussion on Sony Sports network.

“I feel KL Rahul should play because he has the experience. Since the time KL Rahul has been dropped from the Indian team, he has put in a lot of effort in the last one and a half to two years and there has been improvement in his game. He has played well in ODIs and T20Is, if we talk about this series also. That is why he should definitely be brought into the team,” he added.

Mohammad Kaif also batted for Shubman Gill’s inclusion in the side as an opener after Prithvi Shaw‘s disappointing show in the first Test. Shaw, who has struggled in recent times, looked out of sorts and was bowled in both the innings. He registered figures of 0 and 4 as India were off to poor start in both innings.

“Shubman Gill has been drawing a lot of praises. He is an organised player. His IPL was also good. I believe a player who has been playing continuously, in which you can include the IPL as well, in the last few months should be given a chance,” said Mohammad Kaif.