NZ vs Ind: KL Rahul should open in ODIs for Team India, suggests Gautam Gambhir

KL Rahul continued his golden run with bat by scoring a dominant 88* from just 64 balls in first ODI against New Zealand. His furious onslaught of six-hitting display was pivotal in India posting 347-4 while batting first in Hamilton. Earlier in tour, KL Rahul was also adjudged as 'Player of Series' in T20Is for scoring 224 runs in five matches.

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“KL Rahul should open in ODIs as well” – Gautam Gambhir

Regular Indian opening batsmen Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan were both injured ahead of ODI series against New Zealand. ir ouster from line-up prompted Indian captain Virat Kohli to appoint Prithvi Shaw and Mayank Agarwal as ir replacements. two cricketers opened innings in first ODI and combined toger to form a 50-run stand.

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However, former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir believes that team manment should have opted to go with KL Rahul as India’s opener in ODI series. While writing for a leading Indian publication, Gautam Gambhir opined that it was t a good idea to remove KL Rahul from top of order given kind of form he has been in. Gambhir described Rahul as a valuable asset for ‘Men in Blue’ who must be well looked after.

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Gambhir went on to add that India should have gone with Mayank Agarwal as KL Rahul’s opening partner and kept Rishabh Pant as ODI wicketkeeper. former cricketer also ackwledged India’s 5-0 T20I triumph over New Zealand by describing it as an unprecedented achievement. He credited captain Virat Kohli for his leadership and for infusing a strict fitness regime in group.

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