India vs Australia: “KL Rahul can score a double century in ODIs if he plays as an opener,” says Aakash Chopra

India vs Australia: “KL Rahul can score a double century in ODIs if he plays as an opener,” says Aakash Chopra
Akash-Chopra-IPL
Aakash Chopra

Former India opener and currently a cricket analyst, Aakash Chopra has stated that Indian wicket-keeper batsman KL Rahul should be played as an opener with Shikhar Dhawan in the India vs Australia ODI series. Chopra further added that Rahul can even smash a double century if he opens. It is a feat which has been achieved by only three Indian players in the format – Rohit Sharma (thrice), Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar.

Chopra also predicted what the playing XI would look like against Australia in the ODI series. The India tour of Australia will begin with the first ODI on November 27 at the Sydney Cricket Ground. “So this is how the team will look like Mayank with Shikhar, Kohli at No.3, Iyer at No.4, Rahul at No.5, Hardik at No.6, Jaddu at No.7 and after that four bowlers Chahal, Bumrah, Shami and I will go with T Natarajan,” he said. This was the exact same line-up and batting order that was used by India in the first ODI against Australia with the exception of the presence of T Natarajan as Navdeep Saini played in his place.

‘My heart says that KL Rahul should open’ – Aakash Chopra

kl rahul
KL Rahul

KL Rahul is heading into the series with an incredible performance in the IPL. He was the orange cap holder with 670 runs in 14 games. He is also the limited-overs vice captain for India in Rohit Sharma’s absence.

“This question does not have an easy answer because Rohit is not there. So, the question is who will be opening with Shikhar, who will be one of the openers in ODIs and T20Is. Do you see Mayank Agarwal opening, that is a big question, or will you see towards Sanju Samson or open with KL Rahul,” Aakash Chopra said during a conversation with Cricbuzz.

YouTube video

“My heart says that KL Rahul should open because the sort of player he is, he scores hundreds, and in my opinion, if he plays very well, he can even score a double hundred in ODIs,” Chopra added.

Also Read: India tour of Australia: ‘Would love to do any role the team offers me,’ says KL Rahul