India vs England 2020-21: Virat Kohli backs KL Rahul, asserts he will open in remaining T20Is

KL Rahul is a wicketkeeper-opening batsman who plays for Karnataka in the domestic circuit. He also plays for Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League, as he finished as the tournament's highest run-scorer in 2020. However, he has failed to fire in the ongoing T20Is against England.

<p>Indian wicketkeeper-opening batsman KL Rahul is one of the most promising openers globally, especially in the limited-overs format. Playing for Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League, he had finished as the tournament's highest run-scorer in 2020.</p>

Indian wicketkeeper-opening batsman KL Rahul is one of the most promising openers globally, especially in the limited-overs format. Playing for Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League, he had finished as the tournament's highest run-scorer in 2020.

<p>However, he has struggled to continue his glorious form at the international stage of late, as he has failed to score double figures in the past three Twenty20 Internationals. With India facing a must-win against England in the remaining two T20Is, skipper Virat Kohli has shown faith in Rahul, asserting that the latter would continue to open in the outstanding games.</p>

However, he has struggled to continue his glorious form at the international stage of late, as he has failed to score double figures in the past three Twenty20 Internationals. With India facing a must-win against England in the remaining two T20Is, skipper Virat Kohli has shown faith in Rahul, asserting that the latter would continue to open in the outstanding games.

<p>"I was going through a lean patch two days back. He has been a champions player. He'll continue to be one of our main players, along with Rohit at the top of the order. It's a matter of five-six balls in this format," Kohli said, reports agencies.</p>

"I was going through a lean patch two days back. He has been a champions player. He'll continue to be one of our main players, along with Rohit at the top of the order. It's a matter of five-six balls in this format," Kohli said, reports agencies.

<p>Rahul's last T20I outing was in Australia, where he finished as the second-highest run-scorer, scoring 82 in three innings at an average of 27.00. Notably, skipper Virat Kohli has also bounced back to form after a lean patch in the past few games, which is sure to inspire Rahul in the coming days and matches.</p>

Rahul's last T20I outing was in Australia, where he finished as the second-highest run-scorer, scoring 82 in three innings at an average of 27.00. Notably, skipper Virat Kohli has also bounced back to form after a lean patch in the past few games, which is sure to inspire Rahul in the coming days and matches.

<p>Meanwhile, speaking on self-performance, Kohli reckoned that it was tough facing English pacer Mark Wood, who bowls at more than 90 mph with the new ball. "You don't want to play knocks which don't help the team in any way. It was a bit difficult to bat against the new ball. Their bowlers were hitting good areas. The England bowlers attacked right lines and lengths, and they became more potent with their pace," he added.</p>

Meanwhile, speaking on self-performance, Kohli reckoned that it was tough facing English pacer Mark Wood, who bowls at more than 90 mph with the new ball. "You don't want to play knocks which don't help the team in any way. It was a bit difficult to bat against the new ball. Their bowlers were hitting good areas. The England bowlers attacked right lines and lengths, and they became more potent with their pace," he added.

<p>Another talking point is all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who is yet to impress with the ball. On the same note, Kohli said, "We want to give Hardik a bit more responsibility with the ball; we know what he can do with the bat."</p>

Another talking point is all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who is yet to impress with the ball. On the same note, Kohli said, "We want to give Hardik a bit more responsibility with the ball; we know what he can do with the bat."