Former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar, in an interview, maintained his liking for Kings XI Punjab opener KL Rahul and said the batsman seems favourable for India's number four spot in the upcoming World Cup.
The 26-year-old is enjoying a spectacular form in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL), and is the second-highest scorer this season with three half-centuries and one century in eight matches.
In a report published by India Today on Friday, 12 April, Gavaskar claimed that between Rahul and right-handed batsman Ambati Rayudu, the former is in a better form and is more likely to be chosen for the World Cup squad.
"Look, who bats at number 4 will be a matter of debate. And this is where IPL form will be considered because that's current form. Ambati Rayudu was spoken about when the season started but has lost form sharply and someone like KL Rahul could be chosen for number 4."
Gavaskar also said that considering the positioning of an opener and a middle batsman, the order shouldn't be a problem for Rahul as he has played in the number four spot before.
‘Next Big Thing’
In an interview to Scroll.in earlier in January, Gavaskar had also called Rahul "the next big thing."
“I’ve said it before but I think he is going to be the next big thing in Indian cricket and I do believe he still has the capability of becoming the next big thing if he just solely focuses on his batting and a couple of things that seem to have crept in.”Sunil Gavaskar
India is set to announce its 2019 World Cup squad on Monday, 15 April in Mumbai.
(With inputs from India Today and Scroll.in)
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