Cricket world reacts to India’s brutal move against Vice-Captain KL Rahul

Cricket fans have been divided over India’s brutal move to drop the opening batter to KL Rahul the third Test against Australia in Indore. The home side on Thursday confirmed the widespread rumors that young gun Shubman Gill had been called up to replace Rahul, who had been brutally sacked as vice-captain the previous day.

The home side have already retained the Border-Gavaskar trophy after taking a 2-0 lead in the four-match series. However, the ax has now fallen on Rahul, who could perhaps consider himself unlucky to be dropped, given the struggles of other members of India’s top order.

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Rahul’s replacement is a fan favorite in India and Gill is seen as a future superstar, having already made headlines in the white ball. cricket and the 2020-21 Test series against Australia. However, Rahul has been an integral part of the Indian set-up for years as one of the team’s best batsmen and as vice-captain has been one of the side’s leaders in the middle. He is also far from alone when it comes to slumps in form, with Virat Kohli also struggling for runs.

When India listed its squad for the third and fourth Tests last week, Rahul was not listed as vice-captain, but the BCCI did not immediately specify whether that was deliberate or a mistake. Speaking ahead of the third Test, India captain Rohit Sharma confirmed that Rahul was no longer vice-captain, but insisted that this did not necessarily mean he would be out of India’s XI.

“Being vice-captain or not being vice-captain doesn’t really say anything,” Sharma told reporters. “The dismissal of his vice-captain does not indicate anything.

“All the 17-18 (players) are in the reckoning, it’s not just Gill or Rahul or anything, but all the players who are there are all in the reckoning. As for our XI, we haven’t decided that yet.”

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“I would like to do it in the hurling and I prefer it to be announced at that time because last minute injuries and all those things happen so we keep it a bit interesting for you (media) as well.

India’s move to replace Rahul with Gill gained momentum after the 23-year-old was seen hitting the nets for Sharma’s side during a training session at Indore’s Holkar Stadium on Tuesday. While many have described Gill as the future of Indian cricket, others claim that Rahul’s treatment has been extremely harsh.

Steve Smith will once again lead the Aussies in the absence of Pat Cummins

Australia’s changes for the third Test were more predictable, with Mitchell Starc named to replace captain Pat Cummins, who has returned home with his mother, who has reportedly entered palliative care. All-rounder Cameron Green joins the Aussie middle order and the visitors will continue with Travis Head as opener after his successful stint replacing the injured David Warner.

It means Steve Smith has been reinstated as the Aussie captain in place of Cummins. The Aussies need to avoid a 4-0 win against India to book their place in June’s World Cup final.

Smith admits he is “pissed off” by his second innings dismissal in Delhi when he was run out while attempting the first sweep shot of the series. It triggered Australia’s horrific surrender of what had been a very winnable position. Smith is confident his elevation to captaincy will help bring out the best in him and possibly the form that saw the classic batter score 499 runs at an average of 71.28 – including three centuries – since he last led the Aussies in India in 2017. .

“It usually brings out the best in me,” Smith said of captaincy. “I’m excited to lead this week in Pat’s absence.

“I know these conditions well, it’s kind of like my second home playing here. I’ve played a lot in India and I understand the intricacies of the game and what wickets are likely to do.”

Australia will not confirm the XI until Wednesday’s toss, but star quick Mitchell Starc and all-rounder Cameron Green are almost certain to feature after two months out with finger injuries.

with agencies

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