Cricket

India's head coach Gautam Gambhir has expressed unwavering support for under-fire batsman KL Rahul, emphasizing his crucial role in India's plans for the upcoming Border Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.Gambhir praised Rahul's versatility, highlighting his ability to bat in various positions and keep wickets in ODIs. "KL Rahul is a rare talent," said Gambhir. "He can open the batting, bat at No. 3, or even play at No. 6. Not many teams have players with such versatility."Rahul's inclusion in the squad for Australia is contingent on Rohit Sharma's availability for the first Test. If Sharma is unavailable, Rahul is a strong contender to open the batting alongside Yashaswi Jaiswal.However, Rahul's recent performances have raised concerns. He was dropped after the first Test against New Zealand and sent to Australia early to join the India 'A' squad for practice. His performance in the second unofficial Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground was disappointing, with a total of just 14 runs in two innings.Despite Rahul's struggles, Gambhir remains confident in his abilities. "He is one of the options to open the batting if Rohit is not available," said Gambhir. "We are still weighing our options."The coach also addressed the question of Rohit Sharma's availability for the first Test. "There is no confirmation yet," said Gambhir. "Hopefully, he will be available. We will know more before the start of the series."In the event of Sharma's absence, Jasprit Bumrah will lead the side as vice-captain.

VVS Laxman and his support staff at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) are likely to accompany the Indian team to Zimbabwe for the five-match T20I series starting July 6. This move is part of the BCCI's plan to provide continuity and support to the young players who have been identified as potential future stars.Meanwhile, Gautam Gambhir is expected to start his tenure as head coach of the senior men's team from the Sri Lanka tour in mid-July. Gambhir, who is currently the favorite for the role, will have the opportunity to select his support staff, including batting, bowling, and fielding coaches.The squad for the Zimbabwe series is expected to be announced by the end of this week, with a mix of young IPL performers and experienced T20 World Cup contingent members. Riyan Parag, Abhishek Sharma, and Nitish Reddy are among the rookies who are likely to receive their maiden call-ups.Hardik Pandya or Suryakumar Yadav is expected to lead the team in Zimbabwe. Pandya has been rested for the ongoing South Africa series, while Yadav captained the T20 team against Australia at home and in South Africa.The BCCI's decision to send Laxman and the NCA coaches with the Zimbabwe squad is a testament to the importance they place on developing young talent. Laxman and his team have a proven track record of nurturing young players and preparing them for the international stage.The Zimbabwe series will provide a valuable opportunity for the young Indian players to gain experience and showcase their skills. It will also serve as a platform for Laxman and his support staff to assess the players' progress and identify areas for improvement.