Why can't KL Rahul get a long rope when others can? Sunil Gavaskar backs India vice-captain to fire at Asia Cup
India Today
Asia Cup 2022: Legendary Sunil Gavaskar, speaking to India Today, said KL Rahul deserves to be given more time and added he is confident that the vice-captain will find his rhythm sooner than later in the continental tournament.
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has backed KL Rahul to get a longer rope at the top of the T20I team, saying that the vice-captain is a classy player who needs time to get back to the rhythm following his return from injury.
Sunil Gavaskar, speaking to India Today after the Asia Cup 2022 match against Hong Kong, said KL Rahul deserves a longer rope, questioning why the Karnataka batter shouldn't get it when a few others are being backed by the team management despite lean patches in T20I cricket.
Gavaskar's comments came after KL Rahul was heavily criticised for his slow knock against Hong Kong in India's final Group A match in Dubai. Rahul struggled to get going as he managed just 36 from 39 deliveries. Rahul showed signs of his vintage self by hitting a couple of well-timed sixes but the vice-captain was not able to maintain the tempo throughout the innings.
Rahul got out for a first-ball duck against Pakistan in India's Asia Cup 2022 opener and hampered India's progress in the first 10 overs against Hong Kong. Thanks to Suryakumar Yadav's stunning 26-ball 68 not out and Virat Kohli's 4-ball 59 not, India posted a match-winning total of 192 on the board in 20 overs against Hong Kong.
"I think KL Rahul is a class act. With the kind of performance he has had over the years for India... if you give others a long rope, why can't we give KL Rahul a long rope? He is your vice-captain as well. You give him a long rope because we have all seen what he is capable of in the T20 format," Sunil Gavaskar said.
"He is coming back from an injury, so that the rhythm is not quite there but the rhythm will come and when it comes, it will be devasting for the opposition," he added.
Meanwhile, former India spinner Pragyan Ojha also said KL Rahul is just a knock away from returning to form, saying that the way the vice-captain timed the big hits on Wednesday shows he is not completely out of touch. Rahul underwent surgery for sports hernia in Germany after IPL 2022 and before his scheduled comeback in West Indies, he was diagnosed with Covid-19.
IPL 2026: Lucknow Super Giants owner Sanjiv Goenka, speaking to India Today's sister channel SportsTak, backed Rishabh Pant to deliver and admitted the team's mistakes last season cost them a top-four finish.
IPL 2026: Virat Kohli laughed off claims he sought charter flights to London during IPL 2026, responding to social media rumours ahead of Royal Challengers Bengaluru's season opener in Bengaluru.
Sunil Gavaskar has called on Indian-owned franchises to stop paying Pakistani players, while hitting back at accusations of hypocrisy following his controversial column on the matter.
SRH camp sees a heated moment as Ishan Kishan gets a fiery send-off from teammate Zeeshan Ansari during an intra-squad match ahead of IPL 2026. Kishan has been named as the interim captain for the first few games for SRH.
With the Premier League title race put on hold for the moment, Arsenal and Manchester City will meet in the final of the Carabao Cup 2025-26. With silverware up for grabs, which team willk seize the chance to gain the edge and the title.
IPL 2026: Ashwin's post showing Sanju Samson practising high catches in the deep with no keeping gloves has sparked speculation over his role at with the Chennai Super Kings ahead of the new season.
R Ashwin has suggested that IPL teams should be allowed to cut money from the players' wages if they're unable to fulfill their role for the side. Ashwin used the example of Cameron Green and KKR to drive home the point.
IPL 2026: Abhishek Sharma smashed a quickfire 94 in SRH's intra-squad clash ahead of IPL 2026. The knock signalled his return to form after a mixed T20 World Cup campaign.
Anaya Bangar shared that she has successfully undergone gender-affirming surgery in Thailand. She credited her father Sanjay Bangar and family for their support through the emotional journey.
IPL 2026: Irfan Pathan believes IPL 2026 will be a tougher test for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. With bowlers now decoding his game, the young star will need to evolve and prove himself again.
IPL 2026: Rishabh Pant and Sanjiv Goenka led Lucknow Super Giants' visit to the Ram Mandir ahead of IPL 2026. The squad offered prayers in Ayodhya as they prepare for the upcoming season.
Following a long injury lay-off, Mayank Yadav returns fitter and wiser, determined to combine raw pace with control as he eyes redemption in IPL 2026.