Former India head coach Ravi Shastri believes that KL Rahul should be included in the team in place of KS Bharat to strengthen the Indian batting line-up for the World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia. KL Rahul on Friday showed signs of returning to form with a brilliant half-century in the first ODI against Australia.

Shastri supported Rahul’s return for the WTC final against AUS at The Oval, commenting during the first ODI between IND and AUS in Mumbai, saying-

“Rahul has done a really good job of keeping the selectors in trouble ahead of the WTC final. Two things I would like to say, one for the ODI series when Rohit Sharma returns and the other for the WTC final.”

Shastri further said- “If Rahul can do wicketkeeping then India can strengthen their batting. Rahul can bat at number five or number six in the middle order in England.”

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Shastri added – “In England, you generally have to keep wickets from the very back of the wicket. You don’t get spinners to bowl a lot, don’t expect a lot of turn. Rahul has two more ODIs before the IEPL. He can cement his place in the Indian team.”

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Rahul played a brilliant innings in the first ODI –

Rahul scored a brilliant 75* under pressure in India’s five-wicket win over Australia. India is ahead 1-0 in the three-match series. Chasing a target of 189, India were 16/3 and later at 39/4, but Rahul hit seven fours and a six during his unbeaten 91-ball innings.

He shared an unbroken 108-run partnership for the sixth wicket with Ravindra Jadeja (45 not out). Earlier, India dismissed Australia for 188 runs.