'No guarantee that IPL will help you become India captain' - Gautam Gambhir warns LSG skipper KL Rahul
KL Rahul was signed by LSG at a whopping price of INR 17 crore ahead of the IPL 2022 mega auction.
Ahead of the 15th edition of Indian Premier League, Lucknow Super Giants mentor Gautam Gambhir has given a stern warning to franchise skipper KL Rahul. The former Indian player has said that a leadership role in the IPL will not guarantee India’s captaincy. Gambhir also stated that the Super Giants will need Rahul as a batter who also leads the team, instead of the skipper who bats.
To note, LSG captain Rahul is also serving as the vice-captain for the national team across the formats and is a contender for future skipper of the Indian team. The 29-year-old has also served as Indian captain few times in the absence of Rohit Sharma. KL Rahul was signed by LSG at a whopping price of INR 17 crore ahead of the IPL 2022 mega auction.
I would want Rahul to take risks: Gautam Gambhir
“Ultimately, it is the leader who is the flag-bearer of a team and so it’s Rahul who will lead Lucknow Super Giants on and off the field. For me, it is important to have KL Rahul the batter, who is also the captain of the team, rather than KL Rahul, the captain, who also bats. I hope I am able to make you understand the difference,” Gambhir was quoted as saying by India Today.
Gambhir also said that he wants the skipper Rahul to be “fearless” in his approach. “Any captain should learn to take risks. I would want Rahul to take risks and, unless you take calculated risks, you won’t know if you would succeed or not. Also, this time, Quinton de Kock will be our wicketkeeper, so with no keeping duties, he can be free and relaxed, concentrate on his batting and leadership.
“Know one thing. There is a difference between being talked up as a future India captain and ultimately being appointed India captain. I have never believed that you should play IPL, looking at the national team. IPL is a platform to express one’s self. One can grow as a leader but there are no guarantees that there is a time period that IPL will help you become India captain,” he added.
Talking about Rahul’s IPL numbers, the right-hander has played 94 matches in which he has scored 3273 runs at an excellent average of 47.43. The 29-year-old has also struck 27 fifties and two centuries.
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