India's tame surrender to South Africa in the opening two ODIs and the failure of the middle-order in both matches have ignited a debate on whether KL Rahul should bat lower down the order instead of opening the innings. Rahul, who is captaining India in the ODI series in the absence of the injured Rohit Sharma, has posted scores of 12 and 55 in the two ODIs so far. His fifty in the second ODI that included a 115-run partnership with Rishabh Pant for the third wicket, put India in a strong position but the batters below the pair failed to build on the foundation and India's total of 287/6 eventually proved inadequate against the Proteas.
Since the 2019 ODI World Cup, Rahul is placed fifth in terms of most runs scored from the middle-order, although in fewer innings than the four batters placed above him.
Moreover, Rahul as an opener has a strike rate of 80.49 and scores a boundary after 12 balls which is the worst balls/boundary rate among all Indian openers since 2016 in ODIs.
India will eye a consolation win in the final ODI against South Africa on Sunday.