KL Rahul during a training session ahead of their third Test match against New Zealand at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Image: PTI

NEW DELHI: As Team India prepares for the third and final Test against New Zealand, speculation is rife over whether they will retain their starting XI or give KL Rahul a chance in the line-up.
Rahul could come into play given his experience and previous performances. If the team management decides to make changes, it could be a strategic move to strengthen the batting force after the recent loss in the series.
But the bigger question is who would “give up” head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Rohit Sharma to make way for Rahul in the final XI.
Rahul had a terrible outing in the first Test as he was one of the five batters dismissed for a duck in the first innings as India were bowled out for 46, their third lowest total in the Tests. Rahul managed just 12 in the next innings.
Washington Sundar, who was included in the second Test, achieved an important milestone in his Test career by securing his first 10-wicket haul against New Zealand. After missing the first Test, Sundar made a powerful comeback in the second, taking seven wickets in the first innings and three in the second.
The only realistic way to get Rahul into the lineup would be for Team India to get a change of ranks for the Mumbai Test, allowing them to field just one seamer, Jasprit Bumrah, and drop Akash Deep, who played in the Pune- Test had problems. However, this scenario seems highly unlikely, as the team management would be reluctant to take such a risk due to these conditions.
The decision will solely depend on the team’s strategy and the pitch conditions at Wankhede. The final test is scheduled to begin on Friday.
However, tinkering with the playing eleven could also backfire as India do not want to travel to Australia to take part in the high-profile five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy after three consecutive Test defeats, including at home.
New Zealand scored a historic 113-run win in Pune, ending India’s 12-year unbeaten home Test series and securing their first ever win Test series Victory on Indian soil.
The defeat not only ended India’s 18-series home winning streak but also threatened qualification for the final of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) next year. India’s lead in the WTC standings narrowed to just 0.32 PCT, leaving the country needing four wins from the remaining six Tests in the cycle – five of which will be demanding away games against Australia.