In three innings against Australia at home, the top order opener could only score 38 runs with scores of 20, 17 and 1. As an opener, the job is never easy but somehow he has failed to match up the standard performance.
His last century in test cricket came in 2021 against South Africa at Centurion, that was clearly a match winning knock. In the next match at Johannesburg, he scored a half century but since then he hasn’t gone past over 23 runs mark in 10 innings he has played after Johannesburg test.
Generally, KL Rahul relies on his tendency to play shots, and he is quite confident while doing so. He is taking his time, playing 50 odd balls regularly but out of a sudden he finds a way to get out.
What could be said about this! 9 times has been either caught or lbw in last 10 innings. It’s a hard job to find a place in team India, there are a number of batters are constantly applying for the position with their numbers and talent.
It is just a matter of time that Rahul will be under a lot of pressure to deliver and by all means, he can deliver. He is a kind of player who thrives under pressure.
Ex Indian cricketer Venkatesh Prasad had a blast on Rahul’s performance on twitter. He said, “There is a view that KL Rahul has an outstanding overseas Test record. But stats speak otherwise. He has a test avg of 30 overseas in 56 innings. He has scored 6 overseas centuries but followed it up with a string of low scores that’s why averaging 30. Let’s look at a few others”
However, the team management has decided to go other way. Both captain and coach have clarified that he will continue to open for the team. With this much backing from his comrades, KL Rahul will feel a bit better but what he could make out of the backing, we are yet to find out in two remaining test matches.