World Cup 2019: Dilip Vengsarkar wants India to try KL Rahul at No.4

Former India captain and chief selector Dilip Vengsarkar has his own thinking over India’s No.4 conundrum in the upcoming ICC World Cup. The ‘Colonel’, as Vengsarkar is fondly called, feels KL Rahul can be tried out at the crucial position in the showpiece event for the former feels the Karnataka batsman has the technique and temperament to succeed in the English conditions. However, Rahul did not have too a good time in England in the Test series last year and could manage one hundred in the dead rubber at the Oval.

The Indian selectors went for Vijay Shankar as the No.4 batsman in the squad in place of Ambati Rayudu who failed to make the cut eventually after a poor show with the bat in 2019. The decision raised a lot of eyebrows as Vijay failed to score runs in the recently concluded Indian Premier League in which he was representing Sunrisers Hyderabad. The question which is making the rounds now is whether Vijay can fulfil the expectations at No.4 in the seaming English conditions.

“We have a settled opening pair in Shikhar (Dhawan) and Rohit (Sharma). Virat Kohli is phenomenal at No 3. I feel that K L Rahul could be an option at No 4. He has the technique and can complement the top three well. I believe No 4 should be a specialist batsman,” Deccan Chronicle cited reports as quoting Vengsarkar during an interaction.

Even though the pitches are expected to be belters in the upcoming tournament as it has been seen in the ongoing ODI series between England and Pakistan, Vengsarkar, who played two World Cups in England (1979 and 1983) felt that Rahul’s technique could still give him an advantage.

Rahul can give stability in case of early wickets, says Vengsarkar

“Since he is a specialist opener, in case of early wickets, he could provide stability. Also in a long tournament, if required he can open the innings. I feel that he should be a part of playing XI,” Vengsarkar said about Rahul, who finished the second-highest run-getter in IPL 2019, continuing from where he had left last year.

The 63-year-old said India’s biggest advantage will be their experience of playing a full series in England around the same time last year. While India won the T20I series, they lost the ODI and Test series on that tour.

He also predicted India besides England and defenders Australia to make the last four in the World Cup.

[interaction id=”5cd58c9fe6672558c9f515ee”]