KL Rahul got the opportunity to lead the Indian cricket team in Test format for the first time in the absence of Virat Kohli. He was the stand-in captain of the team against South Africa in the second Test.
Unfortunately, Rahul couldn't make it a memorable match as India lost the Test by 7 wickets after South Africa chased down the target of 240 runs on Day 4. South African captain Dean Elgar was the top scorer in their second innings with an unbeaten 96-run knock.
Former India cricketer Gautam Gambhir felt the team missed the presence of Kohli despite his poor batting form. He said Kohli's captaincy would have made a difference in the second Test match.
“We definitely missed Virat Kohli the batsman. Steve Smith, Joe Root, Kane Williamson, Rohit Sharma, these are the type of batters you miss. And it is difficult to find their replacement, no matter what form they are in because the expectation remains that they will score those big runs. But Kohli the captain, we missed him as well because he is so experienced and things turn simpler for experienced captains because they have been around for long,” he said on Star Sports.
Gambhir further shared his views on Rahul's captaincy and said he lacked aggression in his leadership. He pointed out that the aggressive captaincy comes out with the fielding placements and not only by the attitude.
“But KL Rahul, the more time he spends, the better he will learn, but the faster he learns the better it is. This is not like ODI or T20I captaincy, which is far easier because you don't have to focus much on-field placements. In Test cricket you need to buy the wickets, sometimes even gamble with your choices.
"Like in the case of Bavuma, had he placed three slips instead of keeping one at the cover and tempt him into playing the drive maybe there could have been an opportunity for caught behind. But he kept a deep point which was a defensive mindset and it is something that he should be told about. You need to be an aggressive captain, not by attitude, but with your field placements,” he explained.
The series is currently leveled with 1-1 and the series decider will be played in Cape Town from January 11.
(With Star Sports Inputs)
