Dasgupta lauded KL Rahul for his impressive batting at Trent Bridge.
Former Indian wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta has admitted that the poor form of Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, and Virat Kohli is an area of concern for the tourists, but is confident that the senior pros will come good in the upcoming games of the Test series in England.
In the first Test at Trent Bridge, the trio of Pujara, Kohli and Rahane failed to fire up, leading to a surprising middle-order collapse in Nottingham, which is a worrying sign for the Indian cricket team going forward in the ongoing five-match Test series against England.
While Pujara managed 4 and 12* in two innings, Rahane could score 5, and Kohli was dismissed for a golden duck by James Anderson in the first Test in Nottingham.
However, the commentator backed the trio to come good in the upcoming second Test of the series starting on Thursday, August 12 at Lord’s while saying they didn’t get the chance to bat in the second innings, as the final day of the game was washed out and the game was ended in a draw at Trent Bridge.
Dasgupta said on his YouTube channel, “There is still a bit of thought to be given in the Indian middle order. They didn't get a chance in the second innings, but in the first essay, they did not fire, which is an area of concern. I am sure Pujara, Rahane, and Virat will be thinking about it, and I am sure they will come good as well.”
However, Dasgupta was impressed by KL Rahul’s batting in the first Test where he scored 84 and 26, saying his first innings performance was best for him so far. He also said Rahul is the biggest positive for India from the first Test against England.
Dasgupta further said, “The biggest positive is KL Rahul. He was not even considered as an opener two days prior to the Test match. But injuries to Shubman Gill and Mayank Agarwal meant that Rahul got the opportunity. It is not because he scored runs but the way he scored them.”
He signed off by saying, “This is the best I have seen him bat in red-ball cricket. Even in the second innings, he looked good in his shot selection and movement. If you are mentally prepared for the middle order, it is never easy to open in these conditions.”