‘If he has to continue playing…..’ – Sanjay Bangar on KL Rahul’s future in Test cricket

Former India cricketer Sanjay Bangar has talked about the future of KL Rahul in Test cricket. Notably, Rahul went on to smash a magnificent tonne in the first innings of the first Test game in Centurion, while he was dismissed quickly in the second innings. However, the wicketkeeper batter is expected to play another great innings in the second Test game slated to take place on January 3 in Cape Town to help India level up the series.

Meanwhile, Bangar feels KL Rahul should continue to play at number 5 or 6, as it will be a huge advantage for Team India. The well-renowned cricket commentator feels the LSG skipper can put Team India in a winning situation if he continues to bat at number 6.

“If he has to continue playing in that particular position, I think it’s going to be a huge plus for India because he is a stroke player. He has batted at various positions and he can bat very well with the tail. We have seen this not only in Test cricket but in other formats of the game as well. So all those things put together indeed make Rahul a capable No. 6 who can put India in winning situations in Test matches,” Sanjay Bangar said on Star Sports.

KL Rahul scored centuries in the Boxing Day Tests of 2021 and 2023 in Centurion: Sanjay Bangar

The cricketer-turned-analyst recalls the 2014 Melbourne Test, where the right-handed batter was dismayed quickly and had an awful start in the game. However, the 51-year-old cricketer feels that Rahul has changed a lot tactically, which helped him smash a tonne in the Centurion both in 2021 and 2023.

“I was part of the dressing room when he got a chance in the Melbourne Test in 2014. So the start was not good. However, he scored centuries in the Boxing Day Tests of 2021 and 2023 in Centurion. If you perform well in any place, you have good memories of that place and when you go back to that place, your confidence is much better,” he added further.