Legendary Chris Gayle has asked KL Rahul to be more firm regarding his batting position for Team India. Rahul has been a proper team man as he has been donning the wicket-keeping gloves in ODIs, and he was recently demoted to number six after Axar Patel grabbed his chance with both hands at number five.

Rahul was also asked to open the innings on the Australian tour and did a good job in the first half of the Border-Gavaskar series. The flamboyant batter also scored 140 runs in five matches of the Champions Trophy at an average of 140 and a strike rate of almost 98 and thus played an instrumental role in India’s triumph.

However, Gayle said Rahul should be vocal about his batting place in the team and should have an open discussion with head coach and captain.

“He’s playing a team sport. And I know he’s doing it for the team, as he’s said in interviews. He bats where the captain wants him to. But I think he should stand firm and say, ‘Listen, Skipper, Coach, this is my position’,” Gayle told InsideSport in an interview.

“Even though those youngsters are doing so well at the top, he could say, ‘I’ve been around longer than these guys. This is where I want to be. This is my spot.’ You’ve got to be a bit more demanding and tell them, ‘I want to be in my rightful position—whether you choose me to open the batting or bat at number three.’ He deserves that opportunity,” Gayle added.

Gayle said he would love to see Rahul in the top three and backed him to find success in white-ball as well as the red-ball format.

“I would love to see him in the top three because he’s such a quality player. He can be very destructive with the white ball, and he’s capable with the red ball too. But he hasn’t really gotten that chance—or been given that chance—to exploit the top order,” Gayle said.

Rahul will be seen in action for Delhi Capitals when they take on Chennai Super Kings on Saturday.