KL Rahul in action for Lucknow Super Giants© BCCI
Legendary Indian cricket team batter Sunil Gavaskar believes that KL Rahul might play at No. 4 for Lucknow Super Giants and promote explosive West Indies batter Nicholas Pooran to No. 3 in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. During a recent interaction, Gavaskar said that Pooran is an extremely destructive batter and he should be given more time out in the middle with Rahul not playing at his preferred batting position. In the previous season, Rahul was the preferred opener for LSG but Gavaskar suggested another player who should open the batting along with Quinton de Kock.
“They are a good team. They have been a team which has somehow always played above their potential. If they continue to do that, they will be in the periphery of the top four all the time. KL Rahul might bat at No. 4, Nicholas Pooran can bat at No. 3,” Gavaskar said on Star Sports.
“Nicholas Pooran, the more overs that he gets, the more destructive he can be. I saw in the Major League Cricket, he was just sensational. So clearly I think Pooran needs to get a few more overs,” he added.
Gavaskar believes that LSG’s new addition Devdutt Padikkal can be a opening partner for De Kock and with a strong Top 4, the batting will be somewhat sorted for the franchise.
“Quinton de Kock, the opening bat. Devdutt Padikkal, who they have bought, might be the opener with him. So I think their batting seems to be definitely sorted. It’s the bowling where they need to do a little bit more so that they continue to be in the top four.”
Gavaskar was also asked about LSG’s chances of reaching the play-offs and the former India skipper had a clear answer.
“Good chance of being there. They have somebody who will really egg them on in Justin Langer, somebody who played his cricket totally with his heart on his sleeve. If the players can do the same for Lucknow, then certainly they will be in with a good chance,” he concluded.
Topics mentioned in this article