‘It is not their fault,’ – Dinesh Karthik on KL Rahul’s lack of batting opportunity in India vs West Indies ODIs

Cricknation Update: (Photo Source: BCCI/X) The home team comprehensively dominated India’s opening matches against the West Indies, winning both the first and second ODIs by eight wickets in Thiruvananthuram on September 27 and Guwahati on September 30 respectively.

The strong performance meant that several members of the team remained on the sidelines, including vice-ctain KL Rahul, who did not face a single ball in the two full matches of the series. Karthik acknowledged the challenge faced by players seeking opportunities when the team’s batting unit performs at a high level. However, the former India wicketkeeper said that the top-order batters were not at fault for scoring runs in the batting-friendly conditions in Thiruvananthuram and Guwahati.

Shubman Gill has so far scored one and one double century. Meanwhile, Virat Kohli scored a century in the first ODI, while Rohit reached the three-figure mark in the second game. “They would ideally love to have some game time, but our batting is so good, and on pitches that are so good, they are not going to give it away easily.

They are making the most of it, as they should. It is not their fault that the pitch is good or the quality of bowling is not good which can cause them problems. KL Rahul would know that, he has done it before at the top of the order.

So hopefully he gets a chance to bat in the next game,” Karthik said on Cricbuzz. Why Rahul has not got a chance in the West Indies series Rahul’s recent ODI record reflects a pattern of limited opportunities at the crease. Since the conclusion of the Champions Trophy in March 2025, the wicketkeeper has batted in only 11 out of 15 ODI matches.

More significantly, across his last seven ODI pearances, he has faced merely 37 deliveries, highlighting the scarcity of batting time he has received in recent international cricket. This drought of match practice has coincided with India’s strong form in the format, where the top-order batters have consistently built substantial innings. Also Read: ‘If Yashasvi Jaiswal doesn’t play now, it doesn’t matter’ – Ajinkya Rahane on changes in India’s playing XI for the third ODI against West Indies The third ODI of the series is scheduled to be held in Mullanpur on October 3, which will give Rahul another chance to showcase his batting skills.

As the vice-ctain and a senior member of India’s ODI team, Rahul remains a key part of the team’s plans, although the current form of the top-order batsmen has limited his chances of contributing with the bat in this particular series.