KL Rahul is one Indian cricketer who, perhaps, gets trolled the most on social media. He was at the receiving end of a lot of criticism from the fans for his lackluster performance at the 20-20 World Cup 2022.
The Indian opener was rested for the New Zealand tour and made his comeback in the first ODI against Bangladesh on Sunday. Once again, the 30-year-old became one of the biggest talking points following India’s heart-breaking 1-wicket defeat over Bangladesh in the first ODI.
He was labeled as India’s hero after the first innings of the match. KL Rahul rescued India from bundling out on an embarrassing total. He came into bat when the team was in trouble at 49 for 3.
Rahul stitched a decent 43-run partnership with Iyer to rebuild the innings but the latter got out at a crucial juncture in the game. Wickets kept falling at regular intervals, thereafter, but KL Rahul held firm at one end.
He ensured runs keep coming despite receiving little support at the other end. Rahul went on to score a brilliant knock of 73 runs in 70 balls, including 5 fours and 4 sixes, helping his team reach a respectable score.
However, by the end of the match, from the hero of the match, KL Rahul became a villain, thanks to his dropped catch of Hasan Miraz, which led Bangladesh winning the game by 1 wicket.
Indian bowlers bowled superbly to restrict Bangladesh to 136 for 9 in 39.3 overs. However, Mehidy Hasan then stitched a match-winning 51-run partnership to guide Bangladesh home and take a 1-0 lead.
During the 43rd over of the game, India had the chance to take the last wicket as Mehidy Hasan miscued a pull and KL Rahul looked in great position to take the catch. However, despite getting both his gloves under the ball, he dropped. It proved costly as India lost the game in the end.
Following the game, KL Rahul was trolled brutally for his lapse on the field. Here’s a look at some of the reactions on the same:
Sanju Samson is far better keeper than KL Rahul. Don't know how long @BCCI
will take to realize it. #INDvsBangladesh #INDvsBAN pic.twitter.com/nPgKL1fj8q— Gully Cricketer (@cricketcoast) December 4, 2022
KL Rahul doesn't want to have a day without being trolled.
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) December 4, 2022
“ye athiya ko kese catch karega”?
KL rahul ?? #INDvsBAN pic.twitter.com/hjKi7SiEo6
— SKY (@Skyhasnolimits_) December 4, 2022
KL Rahul in Bangladesh dressing room after dropped the catch of Mehidy Hasan Miraz ??#KLRahul? #KLRahul #INDvsBANpic.twitter.com/9aC5wwyaH6
— Ashutosh Srivastava (@kingashu1008) December 5, 2022
KL Rahul.
BCCI – The best wicket keeper of India now . pic.twitter.com/CqMirs9iTZ
— Mallu Digital Media ?? (@malludigital1) December 4, 2022
World Cup 2023 Final – Rizwan scoops – In the air, KL Rahul under it… And OMG
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) December 4, 2022
KL Rahul can be both #INDvsBAN
Hero of the Villian of the
match. match. pic.twitter.com/kd2dR51mb5— Vibhor Mohan (@thevibhu90) December 5, 2022
KL Rahul masoom, first innings mai Taaliyan …aur 2nd innings mai Gaaliyan kha raha hai ?#INDvsBAN
— Arslan Naseer – CBA (@ArslanNaseerCBA) December 4, 2022
