KL Rahul failed to make a mark with the bat in India’s first innings of the opening Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test against Australia in Nagpur on Thursday (February 9).

Despite his scores of 22, 23, 10 and 2 in an away two-Test series against Bangladesh in December 2022, Rahul was preferred in India’s starting XI over the in-form opening batter Shubman Gill.

However, the right-hander failed to repay the faith of the team management, scoring only 20 runs off 71 balls with one boundary. As a result, he is drawing flak from the fans and experts, with many of them questioning his place in the side.

Reflecting on Rahul’s knock, former India spinner Harbhajan Singh opined that the out-of-form opener could have scored more runs if he had batted with an attacking approach in the final session on Day 1 in Nagpur.

"KL Rahul would be disappointed as he was taking more time. I believe if he could have kept an attacking approach then he could have scored more. I hope in the second innings if he gets the chance to bat, he will score some runs for his own confidence," Harbhajan said while speaking on his official YouTube channel.

While Australia’s debutant off-spinner Todd Murphy dismissed Rahul, India skipper Rohit Sharma dominated the visiting bowlers. Rohit stayed unbeaten on 56, taking the hosts to 77/1 at stumps on Day 1 in reply to Australia’s first-innings total to 177 all-out.

"I am hoping that India scores 300-350 on this pitch," Harbhajan added. "Captain Rohit Sharma started a great inning (and) is not out with more than 50 runs. If he plays the entire first session then there will be expectations for a century."

According to Harbhajan Singh, if India score 350 in the first innings then the tourists won’t be able to make a comeback.

"If India scores anywhere near 350 then I doubt Australia will be able to score more than 200 in the second innings. The more you bowl on this pitch, the more it will spin. If it spins then Australia will surrender against India's three spinners," he stated.