Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly has come out in support of struggling KL Rahul ahead of the first Test against Australia on November 22 in Perth. The 32-year-old could open for India National Cricket Team if Rohit Sharma stays back in India. Shubman Gill has already been ruled out due to a thumb fracture.

Rahul was dropped from the playing XI after the first Test against New Zealand, with Sarfaraz Khan getting the preference for the next two games. Rahul is set to make a comeback in the Playing XI against the Pat Cummins-led team.

Former players have criticized Rahul, with Sanjay Manjrekar accusing the team management of giving him special treatment.

Ganguly urged him to play differently against Australia and suggested that KL was also impacted by the situation he experienced at Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).

“He will have to speak to himself and put everything behind him. Rahul has seen ups and downs but that is part and parcel of the game. He needs to work hard in the nets to bring his confidence back. He has gone through a lot in recent times. Lucknow Super Giants didn’t retain him but I am sure he will get a good franchise in the IPL,” Sourav Ganguly told Revsportz.

“Young players have moved ahead of him in T20Is, and there is no place for him in the team. He has to change as he can’t continue playing the same way. I think he needs to sit alone to rediscover himself. He needs to move away from friends and family members for the self-discovery process.

“He must look in the mirror and accept that there is a need to change. KL Rahul needs to get tough and fight this period. He can score hundreds in Australia, but he needs to believe in himself,” he added.

Rahul will be part of the IPL 2024 mega auction on November 24 in Jeddah. This will be the first time since 2018 that Rahul’s name will go under the hammer. Punjab Kings bought him for Rs. 11 crore. He was then signed by LSG in 2022 for Rs. 17 crore in a pre-auction draft.