“I thought he was hard done too” - Former England captain’s massive statement on KL Rahul’s performance in BGT 2024-25

Former England captain Michael Vaughan has lauded Team India batter KL Rahul for his performances with the bat in the top order during the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy series. The 50-year-old pointed out that the right-hander struggled after he was dropped to No. 3 in the fourth Test in Melbourne, as India captain Rohit Sharma returned to the opening role.

Rahul amassed 234 runs in the first three Tests, including two half-centuries, before returning with scores of 24 and 0 in the Boxing Day Test, where the tourists lost by 184 runs. He returned to his opening role in the fifth Test in Sydney but flopped again, scoring 4 and 13, as India lost by six wickets to surrender the series 1-3 to Australia.

In a video on the Youtube channel 'Club Prairie Fire,' Vaughan said (22:22 onwards):

“7/10, He [KL Rahul] was great when he started the series at the top then they moved him down. I thought he was hard done too.”

Meanwhile, Vaughan praised Yashasvi Jaiswal, who top-scored for India in the five-game series. The cricketer-turned-commentator said: (22:11 onwards)

“8.5/10, I think he [Yashasvi Jaiswal] is the next superstar of the world game.”

Jaiswal amassed 391 runs in 10 innings at an average of 43.44 with the help of 161 and two 80s. The 23-year-old was only behind Australia’s Travis Head, who scored 448 runs in the series, comprising two centuries.

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“He’s a quality player” – Michael Vaughan lauds Nitish Kumar Reddy after maiden 100 in Melbourne

In the same video, Michael Vaughan lauded Nitish Kumar Reddy who scored his maiden Test century in Melbourne, helping India take the game to the last session on Day 5. He said: (25:22 onwards)

“He [Nitish Kumar Reddy] faltered at the back end in the last game but he’s a quality player. That hundred at MCG. The interview that Gilly gave, the broadcast with his father who still has got no clue what the questions were. I’m gonna give Nitish 8/10.”

Meanwhile, Australia wicketkeeper-batter Adam Gilchrist reminisced about his interview with Nitish Reddy’s father for Fox Sports at MCG. He said:

“He gave me one of my broadcasting career highlights, so I’m gonna for 8.5.”

Nitish Reddy had a breakthrough 2024-25 BGT following his debut in the series opener in Perth. The right-handed batter amassed 298 runs in nine innings at an average of 37.25 with a best score of 114. He eclipsed KL Rahul (276) and was only behind Jaiswal (391) for most runs for India in the series Down Under.

The 21-year-old, however, returned with scores of 1, 0, and 4 after his ton in the first innings of the fourth Test. With the ball, the medium-pacer failed to live up to expectations, bagging five wickets in as many Tests.