'Maybe Easwaran Hasn't Convinced Them As Much': Sanjay Manjrekar Slams Selectors' Obsession With KL Rahul

Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has said that the team management should play cricketers who deserve to get a chance and not ones with whom they have a fascination. Despite playing 53 Tests over the past decade, the under-fire KL Rahul has an average of 33.87 and has been constantly criticised for his form over the last year. Rahul's recent Test form hasn't inspired much confidence and in case India skipper Rohit Sharma doesn't play the first match, the former is still tipped to replace him.Rahul remains part of the Indian team for the upcoming Test series in Australia and although he might not play when Rohit does, there is still no official confirmation. "So that is the time when you go back and do the right thing. And play players who deserve to get a chance. KL Rahul. You know, I don't know, there's some fascination that the team management, selectors have for him that they just want him part of the playing 11, whether it's at the top or down the order," Manjrekar said while speaking on ESPNCricinfo. "Maybe Abhimanyu Easwaran hasn't convinced them as much. But it's not for us to play God and decide that maybe Easwaran won't get run in the Test. We've had many examples in the past where players have surprised you with their performances," Manjrekar added. Rahul was flown into Australia before the entire squad to play the second game against Australia A for India A but he scored just four and 10 runs in two innings. Manjrekar has said that Rahul opening for India A ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy shows that the team management is in panic mode. He was batting at No. 6 in the last Test he played but with chances that Rohit might not feature in Perth, Rahul was straightaway promoted to opening.