India’s buildup to the Test series in England largely revolved around the void created by the retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Over the last week, the rather unproven batting lineup helped ease some concerns. The transition is still at an early stage. Yet, it’s inspiring. KL Rahul, the most experienced batter at the age of 33, is ironically but reassuringly still a part of this transition. He has offered stability at the top of the order that has eased the pressure on the middle order in both the innings at Headingly. It’s not that the core of the batting was made of spring chickens. Rahul, captain Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant have all been playing together for five years now. What was supposed to be a pressure point now seems to have liberated them — carrying the tag of lead batters in the team. Former India selector Devang Gandhi highlighted the clarity in Rahul’s batting which was lacking during his 10-year long Test career. Gandhi puts it down to ‘coming out of the shadows of big names’ in the team. “What has worked for these players is that they have been given the primary responsibility to carry India’s batting forward. Rishabh has been consistent in Test cricket barring the last tour of Australia. But Rahul and Gill’s approach looked so different,” Gandhi told TOI.
Gandhi recalled how Rahul could never settle down in the batting lineup during his tenure as a selector. “If one observes his career closely, he never got a fixed batting number even in Tests. Sometimes he was also used at No. 3 and No. 6. It was a period when the team management wanted to be very flexible with the playing XI. He was batting at No. 6 even before the last Australia tour. Now, it’s clear that he will be opening as a lead batter. That is showing in his batting,” Gandhi remarked. In a way, Gill’s career could be equated with Rahul’s. With his inconsistency as an opener, the previous team management convinced him to bat at No. 3. “Both Rahul and Gill are assured of their batting numbers. During our days as selectors, Rahul Dravid played Gill in the middle order on ‘A’ tours, and he played one of his best first-class knocks in the middle order. They probably feel far more secure of their places now. They must be relishing being the leaders in India’s batting lineup,” Gandhi said.
The regulars in the batting lineup got off to a good start to usher in the new era of Indian Test batting. However, one can’t bet on all of them firing together throughout the series. The transition will truly be complete when India finds near-definite options at No. 3 and No. 6. Sai Sudharsan’s Test debut and Karun Nair’s comeback journey are two fabulous stories. But they need to quickly establish themselves as concrete answers. Gandhi believes there’s still room for Shreyas Iyer in the Test middle order. “It’s probably harsh to still label him as someone who struggles against short deliveries. Iyer has proven he has worked on it, and he has been facing international quality bowling round the year besides performing in domestic cricket. At his age, Nair will have less time to prove himself,” he said.Quiz: Who’s that IPL player? Where the team management needs to be careful is maintaining this secure environment for its batters. Dealing with Sudharsan will be crucial. “One must avoid putting Sudharsan through what Rahul went through in his career. He is young. If you have invested in him then stick with him. He should have a definite role and batting number. He looked good in the second innings in Leeds. He also did well on the ‘A’ tour of Australia last year,” Gandhi said. The average Indian cricket fan felt good when India registered five centuries in the Headingly Test. Well, the foundation has been laid. It’s time to build on it.
