'Paddy Upton should tell him...' - Sunil Gavaskar's request to mental-conditioning coach on struggling Indian batter

Paddy Upton, Sunil Gavaskar (Image Source: Twitter)

KL Rahul has not been at his best in the ongoing 20-20 World Cup 2022 and the batter has gathered only 22 runs in the 3 matches that he has played so far. While many Indian fans opined that the opener must be dropped from India’s playing XI, a former Indian cricketer decided to back Rahul.

Sunil Gavaskar, the legendary Indian player, backed the opener and said that the team management must show patience with him. Emphasizing the need for a boost in confidence, Gavaskar said that it was the right time for Paddy Upton, India’s mental conditioning coach, to step up to the occasion.

“We have Paddy Upton as the mental conditioning coach and if he has not done anything with him. While the batting coach can tell him his mistakes, there is a need for the mental conditioning coach to talk with the player to increase his confidence. He should tell Rahul that he has got the talent and he can score big runs,” Gavaskar said on Sports Tak.

You do not have any other opener: Gavaskar

Highlighting India lacking a backup opener, Gavaskar said that it was essential to back Rahul, who is yet to make a statement with the bat in the ongoing 20-20 World Cup. Further, the former legendary cricketer said that the talented opener can destroy the opposition single-handedly on his day.

“Look, you have just played three matches and you have to play a total of 5 matches in the Super 12 stage. You do not have any other opener, I do not think you have an opener who can take the place of Rahul. So you need to show patience with him, we know what he can do when he is in full flow. I think someone needs to have a word with him,” said the 73-year-old further.

As things stand, Rahul would look to make a comeback in the Bangladesh clash to be played on November 3 and seal his place as an opener in the shortest format of the game.