Should KL Rahul Be Made India's Permanent Test Opener? Anjum Chopra Gives Honest Opinion Ahead Of Melbourne Test - Exclusive

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Team India are gearing up for a pivotal third Test in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), with a chance to take a decisive lead in the series.

All eyes will be on KL Rahul, who has showcased remarkable consistency in a series that has tested most Indian batters. The match, set to commence on December 26, marks the traditional Boxing Day Test.

With the series level at 1-1, Rahul's promotion to the opening role has been a key development. Displaying poise and confidence, Rahul has looked at ease tackling the challenges posed by the new ball.

So far in the series, he has been India's top run-getter and ranks second overall, amassing 235 runs across six innings with an impressive average of 47.00. His performance includes two fifty-plus scores, with a highest knock of 84.

But the big question arises, should India make KL Rahul there permanent opening batter in the longest format, given his good run of form?

myKhel caught up with former Indian women's cricket captain, Anjum Chopra in an exclusive interaction and brought forward the question to her.

Quality Player - KL Rahul

Anjum emphasizes that KL Rahul is a player of high quality, and his skill doesn't diminish with changes in scenarios. Whether he faces the new ball as an opener or encounters the second new ball later in the innings, his ability to adapt and perform remains crucial.

She believes it's understandable that Rohit Sharma might want to reclaim his position as an opener and has every right to do so, given his experience and proven success at the top of the order. But it won't be fair for KL Rahul to remove from the role, especially since he has performed well and demonstrated quality as an opener.

''See, nothing is prominent in this setup. Somebody like Rohit, he is still playing in the middle order because Indian team had a good outing with new openers. But it hasn't worked for Rohit as well. I can understand that it's a difficult call to take to come back to the opening position. But I don't see that it's fair if Rohit wants to come back to the opening slot and take back Rahul's position'', she said.

''He is in absolute right to claim back his position. Whether he adjusts or whether just whoever is more likely to I think that person will go. And in that scenario, one can go. I'm not saying that KL should go in the middle. But at the end of the day, Rahul is a quality player. So quality doesn't go out, the scenario changes''.

''Obviously, it will change for everyone. It might be that when KL walks into bat, he might be facing the 2nd new ball. We know that, and he has obviously done well'', Chopra further added.

Lucky To Have Jasprit Bumrah

The ex India cricketer reserved high praise for Jasprit Bumrah, who is having a terrific Border-Gavaskar Trophy so far. In 3 Tests, he has scalped 21 wickets and led the Perth Test in Rohit Sharma's absence to guide the visitors to a massive 295-run victory.

The 47-year-old asserts that as an Indian, she is lucky to see someone like Bumrah in the national side.

''We are lucky have Bumrah in the Indian national team. He's terrific'', she said.