‘I have no doubt that he has got quality and ability’: India A coach Rahul Dravid defends KL Rahul

KL Rahul's dismal performance with the bat continued even after he returned to the India A squad from suspension. However, India A coach Rahul Dravid is not worried as he has confidence in the talented opener’s quality

India star batsman KL Rahul dismal performance with the bat continued even after he returned to the India A squad from suspension. The Karnataka opener had scores of 13, 42 and 0 against England Lions in three one-day games.

BCCI had decided to lift the interim suspension on Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul. The Supreme Court will take a call on February 5 on the appointment of a BCCI ombudsman, who will carry on with the inquiry. The duo was suspended following the furore over their sexist comments in a talk show.

However, India A coach Rahul Dravid is not worried as he has confidence in the talented opener’s quality.

“He (KL) got a good first ball today as it seamed. I have no doubt that he has got quality and ability. He is playing four-day games as well and he has shown that he can succeed at the international level in all three formats,” Dravid told reporters after India A clinched the five-match limited overs series 4-1.

“He has got a hundred in T20, ODI and Test and not many batsmen have that record. He is a proven performer and I am not too worried about his form,” the India A coach said.

Asked if the purpose of playing senior team players like Test vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant, Rahul or Hanuma Vihari was served, the former India captain provided the broader perspective.

“India A is always a combination of two things. There’s always some players coming in from India (senior national team) and there are some other senior boys selectors want to see. They are looking at players some from a short-term perspective and there are other boys they are looking at medium and long term perspective. India A is a balance of both,” he explained.