The recently concluded second Test of the ongoing three-match series between South Africa and India marked the captaincy debut for Indian opener KL Rahul.
Notably, Rahul led the Indian side in the absence of regular skipper Virat Kohli, who was ruled out of the second Test due to a back spasm. However, Rahul didn’t have a good time with the new role as the hosts won the contest by seven wickets in Johannesburg to level the series 1-1.
After the loss, many experts shared their views on Rahul’s leadership. Former India opener Wasim Jaffer felt that Ajinkya Rahane should have captained India in the absence of Kohli. Another ex-cricketer, Gautam Gambhir, has also shared his views on Rahul’s captaincy.
Gambhir reckoned that the tourists missed the presence of Kohli as things could’ve been simple had the regular skipper was there in the Johannesburg Test. The former Delhi batter further elaborated what Rahul needs to do as captain. Gambhir observed that Rahul should focus more regarding the field placements and try every effort to take wickets.
“Kohli, the captain, was missed because had he been out there in the middle, things could have turned simpler as it always does for experienced players who have been around for so long,” Gambhir said while commentating on Star Sports.
“The more time he spends, the better he will learn, but the faster he learns the better it is. This is not like ODI or T20I captaincy, which is far easier because you don’t have to focus much on field placements. In Test cricket you need to buy the wickets, sometimes even gamble with your choices,” added Gambhir.
