Is Gambhir is all set to lose his wicket to KL Rahul?

Rahul with nine Tests so far in his name has scored 362 runs at an average of 37.46. He has played in series against Australia, Sri Lanka, West Indies and New Zealand. Barring the Black Caps, he scored a century against the other three teams, which testifies the selectors would go for him ahead of Gambhir.

 

 

'Rahul back in the squad and is available for selection,' says Anil Kumble ahead of the 2nd Test at Vizag #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/QRZzcIU73g

— BCCI (@BCCI) November 15, 2016

 

 

Gambhir, who was included in the Test squad following the injuries to India's regular openers, Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan, failed to the make most out of the two chances he received. He played the Indore Test against New Zealand and the first Test against England in Rajkot.

 

The Delhi cricketer's scores in the two games read this way - 29, 50 and 29, 0, which is not enough to retain him ahead of a player who seems more trustworthy in the eyes of the selectors.

 

Read more: Will India whitewash Australia twice?

 

Although the numbers don't look his way, the character and integrity he showed in Indore would have given him a few brownie points. Despite injuring his shoulder the previous day, he came in to bat the next day, scored a half-century which eventually proved to be crucial in India's win.

 

 

The Indian Test skipper Virat Kohli acknowledged the effort; he was the first one to stand up and clap. Let's see if the faith in Gambhir will be restored. 

 

However, Indian coach Anil Kumble made it clear that Rahul will be drafted in the playing XI for the Vizag Test. "I think there is still two days left. Rahul is certainly
available for selection and you would want Rahul to be in starting line-up and that's the reason he has been included," he said during a press conference on Monday. 

 

Meanwhile, Rahul who suffered a hamstring injury during the first Test against New Zealand earlier, was ruled out of the remainder of the series.

 

Read more: Can World No. 1 India beat Australia's home record?

 

However, the 24-year-old batsman has proved his fitness with knocks of 76 and 106 in the Ranji Trophy match against Rajasthan with India's chairman of selectors MSK Prasad and selector Sarandeep Singh in the stadium.

 

"I'm feeling good. Getting some match practice is important. You can spend a lot of time in the gym, doing your rehab and training but you are never fully healed until you play a few games.

 

"That way, this game has helped me in gaining some confidence and get some time out in the middle. I'm happy with the way I batted. Even when I was fielding, I could move well and get back to being quick and agile," Rahul told TOI.