KL Rahul has been struggling with his form for the past couple of months across all formats. Many questioned his selection in India’s Test side after mediocre performances in England earlier this year. The only high point of that tour was a century in last Test of the series. It’s increasingly becoming clear that Rahul has been going through that rough patch in his career that every batsman dreads.
However, selectors decided to give the opener one more chance. He has been included in India’s squad for the upcoming Test series on the long tour of Australia. The Karnataka batsman opened alongside 19-year-old batting prodigy Prithvi Shaw in a practice game against Cricket Australia XI. While Shaw looked comfortable playing the new Kookaburra ball but Rahul struggled.
The 26-year-old failed to make his case for the opening slot as he got out after scoring just 3 runs off 18 deliveries. Here’s how he departed:
Here’s how KL Rahul fell to be India’s first wicket this morning.
WATCH LIVE: #CAXIvIND https://t.co/bRjvo3LvLP pic.twitter.com/wTWx2GItUE
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 28, 2018
His inability to score on a pitch where Indian batsmen scored half-centuries did not go down well with many as he faced harsh criticism.
Apart from @klrahul11 rest of the top and middle order batsmen all made runs in today’s practice match. #Klrahul‘s woeful form continued..! Does he really deserve a chance instead of @mvj888 in #Adelaide test..? @vikrantgupta73 @sports_tak #CAXIvIND #teamindia #Cricket
— Pratik Modi (@prkmodi) November 29, 2018
It’s time to say Good bye to @klrahul11
Not performing in any format still they are giving him lots of chances… @BCCI— Dishant Patil (@dishantpatil) November 29, 2018
Five half-centuries, but KL Rahul remains a conundrum https://t.co/qMwEwqe3QN
— Rainbow6 Gamer (@rainbow6_gamer) November 29, 2018
had enough proof ? carrying “Excess Baggage” aka KLRahul if he plays in 1st test India is effectively 1 wicket down, onus is on biased decision makers of Indian cricket @BCCI
— Srinivasan (@Sriniva00871656) November 29, 2018
KL Rahul must be dropped from the Indian Team. It’s high time now. Continuously playing him in the XI even after these failures will only hurt his confidence. He’s a very gud player, give him some break. Let him analyse his own technique. He’ll surely be back as a better player.
— ब्लैकPanthe₹ (@PantheR0044) November 29, 2018
Even after giving so many chances to KL Rahul, he failed to deliver. Management should send him to play Ranji cricket to work on his skills. Not able to play in swinging deliver since the tour of England. #INDvsAUS
— Pavon Rajput (@Pavon2323) November 29, 2018
Remove KL Rahul pls…He is consistently Inconsistent. NO other player got so many chances like KL yet he is struggling to cement his spot.
— keshava (@keshavaallu) November 29, 2018
India’s batting coach was not impressed with the way Rahul threw his wicket but still backed him to do well on the tour. He said,
“He [Rahul] has been looking in good shape, including today. It is just that he is finding new ways to get out. Even today, the ball was quite afar when he played it away from his body and lost his wicket. But what we are reading he is playing the ball well and he is one hit away [from form]. We know his ability and if he converts that to performances then it is important for the team. He is not a young player any more and he is on his second tour here. He has played 30 Tests and he has a responsibility. We expect him to play with that responsibility and play his role for the team”
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