KL Rahul may not be part of the playing XI in 50-over cricket at the moment – Sanjay Bangar

Former Indian batting coach Sanjay Bangar reckons KL Rahul might not be part of the playing XI in the 50-overs format at the moment. Bangar feels Rahul might have to fight for his place as Ishan Kishan scored a brilliant double-century in the third ODI against Bangladesh.

Furthermore, Hardik Pandya has replaced KL Rahul as India’s vice-captain in white-ball formats. Pandya had led Gujarat Titans to glory in his maiden season as a leader and Bangar feels Pandya is now ahead of Rahul as far as taking over the baton from Rohit Sharma is concerned.

Rahul is not part of the T20I series against Sri Lanka but he will return for the three ODIs against the Island Country. KL had led India against Bangladesh in the third ODI and the two Test matches in the absence of Rohit Sharma. However, he hasn’t performed consistently with the bat.

Sanjay Bangar said on the Cricinfo show on Star Sports, “Taking into account the kind of success that Ishan Kishan has had at the top of the order which means KL Rahul will have to fight for a place in the playing XI, and hence I feel that KL Rahul may not be part of the playing XI in 50-over cricket at the moment.”

“Hardik Pandya’s career graph as far as his captaincy is concerned is pretty good because the way he led his team to the IPL championship was fabulous. So it meant in the longer run he is going to be a strong contender to take over the reins from Rohit Sharma whenever the situation arises.”

Meanwhile, it has been reported that Rohit Sharma will continue to lead after the BCCI review meeting.

On the other hand, former Indian batter Sanjay Manjrekar added the cricket boffins were surprised when Pandya led Gujarat Titans to glory in his maiden stint as captain.

“We were all taken by surprise actually. Who thought that Hardik Pandya will be such a raging success in the IPL as captain? But in a long season, just the way he handled the team and the way he looked as a leader was a pleasant surprise.”
“Considering that he is bowling now and the impact that he is making, right time to reward him with leadership. So well deserved. KL Rahul’s form is starting to make his situation a little tricky, didn’t have a great T20 World Cup and he looked a little out of sorts in the Test series against Bangladesh also, so all this is something that happens.”

Hardik Pandya will lead India in the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka.