In the current Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2023 series, KL Rahul has been India’s first-choice Test opener but his continual performance failure has earned him the anger of the Indian fans. Since the Bangladesh Test series, Rahul has accumulated a string of poor performances.
The Karnataka-born cricketer is placing more and more pressure on himself with each mediocre performance. The in-form Shubman Gill may replace Rahul in the Indore Test, according to numerous sources. Through a series of tweets, former India bowler Venkatesh Prasad criticized Rahul and the selection committee for supporting him despite his subpar performance.
Rahul supporters defended the batter by saying that the head coach, Rahul Dravid, and captain, Rohit Sharma, are supporting him because of his excellent foreign record. To this, Prasad replied,
“He (Rahul) has a Test average 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.” Players like Ajinkya Rahane and other individuals should also be given a long rope based on the same criteria, according to Prasad, as they have performed just as well.
I believe he has the quality and class to come out of this: Rahul Dravid
Former Indian opener, Aakash Chopra, who had earlier asked Prasad to wait till the series was over before analyzing Rahul, did not directly respond to Prasad this time but instead used a statistic to support his position. A statistic of the top Indian batters in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia) nations from 2020 to 2023 is shared.
“Indian batters in SENA countries. Maybe, this is the reason selectors/coach/captains are backing KLR. He’s played 2 Tests at home (ongoing BGT) during this period No, I don’t need a BCCI role as a selector/coach I don’t need any mentor, coaching role at any IPL team either,” tweeted Aakash Chopra. Chopra’s post was liked by Bollywood actor Suniel Shetty, who also happens to be Rahul’s father-in-law.
Indian batters in SENA countries. May be, this is the reason selectors/coach/captain are backing KLR. He’s played 2 Tests at home (ongoing BGT) during this period
No, I don’t need a BCCI role as a selector/coach
I don’t need any mentor, coaching role at any IPL team either ? pic.twitter.com/qV6qo6Plvt— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) February 21, 2023
After the conclusion of the Delhi Test, Dravid had promised the media that the management will continue to support him.
“I believe he has the quality and class to come out of this. It is great working with this unit, managing formats is the most difficult part. But there’s not a lot of technical coaching, just simple conversations and challenging them, and giving them a pat on the back when they do well,” Dravid said.
Here’s how Twitter reacted on Suniel Shetty liking Aakash Chopra’s post:
Bhosda and Sunil Shetty pic.twitter.com/Ang64HlbT3
— ROHAN GUPTA? (@rohan10203070) February 21, 2023
Itna dhyan kahi or lga leta na bhay to aise nalla nhi rhta ??????
— Rahul Sinha? (@rahulkl08) February 21, 2023
— Laksh Sind (@LakshSind) February 21, 2023
Sasurji damage control mai lag gaye hai ….
— joy_gii (@don_micks) February 21, 2023
Aakash Chopra needs film contract , it seems ?
— Abhinav Prasad (@Abhinav_18_10_4) February 21, 2023
Sunil Shetty on……. pic.twitter.com/gnNT1eZzoY
— ????? (@ImHkr02) February 21, 2023
Sasur ji on duty ?
— feryy (@ffspari) February 21, 2023
??. Sasurjee puri koshish kaar rahe !!
— Shaira Noorani (@NooraniShaira) February 21, 2023
ab itna investment kiya hai , kuch tho return chahiye woh bhi long-term. Sunk cost naa ho jaaye ???
— Vijay (@Vijayhyderabadi) February 21, 2023
Shadi ke baad to Rahul ki bachi khuchi form bhi chali gai. Pahle 20-25 runs banaa bhi leta tha, ab to itne bhi nahi bn rhe.
— Madan Mohan Sharma (@mathsirmadan127) February 21, 2023
