Legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar voiced against the idea of KL Rahul opening for the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024.
Gavaskar believes that Rahul should drop himself down to the batting order and promote explosive West Indies batter Nicholas Pooran to No. 3 for the LSG in the upcoming IPL 2024.
The former Indian skipper feels Pooran should be given more time out in the middle since he is an extremely destructive batter, and Rahul should bat at No. 4 instead of opening for the LSG.
Notably, Rahul was the preferred opener for LSG last season, but Gavaskar wants Devdutt Padikkal to open the batting along with Quinton de Kock in the upcoming IPL 2024.
Sunil Gavaskar said on Star Sports: “They are a good team. They have been a team that has somehow always played above their potential. If they continue to do that, they will be in the periphery of the top four all the time. KL Rahul might bat at No. 4.”
He continued, “Nicholas Pooran can bat at No. 3. Nicholas Pooran, the more overs that he gets, the more destructive he can be. I saw in the Major League Cricket, he was just sensational. So clearly, I think Pooran needs to get a few more overs.”
Backing Padikkal to open for LSG with De Kock, Gavaskar noted: “Quinton de Kock, the opening bat. Devdutt Padikkal, who they have bought, might be the opener with him. So, I think their batting seems to be definitely sorted. It's the bowling where they need to do a little bit more so that they continue to be in the top four.”
Gavaskar signed off by saying on LSG’s chances in the IPL 2024, “Good chance of being there. They have somebody who will really egg them on in Justin Langer, somebody who played his cricket totally with his heart on his sleeve. If the players can do the same for Lucknow, then certainly they will be in with a good chance.”
(With PTI/Star Sports Inputs)
