India is currently struggling in the 2nd Border-Gavaskar Trophy match against Australia as they find themselves in a precarious position at 127/5 after 48 overs in the second innings. With Australia already having a lead of 136 runs after scoring 263 in their first innings, India needs a strong batting performance to avoid defeat. However, one of their key batsmen, KL Rahul, has continued his poor run of form in Test cricket.
Rahul, who opened the innings for India in this match, was dismissed for just 17 runs off 41 balls in the second innings. This is not the first time he has failed to deliver in recent times, as he has struggled to score runs in his last 11 Test innings. His last 11 Test innings have resulted in just 197 runs, with an average of 17.9, which is not good enough for a top-order batsman.
In fact, Rahul has the lowest strike rate among all Test openers since 2022, which is a worrying statistic for India. His recent performances have been dismal, with his last nine scores in Test cricket being 8, 12, 10, 22, 23, 10, 2, 20, and 17. This gives him an average of just 13 in the last 13 months, which is far below his potential as a top-order batsman.
Rahul’s struggles are a major concern for India, more so as he has come in the place of in-form Shubman Gill. With the series tied at 1-0, India will need to improve their batting performance in the remaining two matches to win the series. This is particularly important given that their top order has struggled in recent times.
Twitter was quite upset with KL Rahul and his poor performance.
Here’s how Twitter reacted to KL Rahul’s dismissal:
Daily routine of Shree KL Rahul !! #INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/AFtnlloaLD
— D? (@A7pha_) February 18, 2023
Hello @BCCI what is the procedure to remove KL Rahul from Indian Team??#KLRahul pic.twitter.com/BzwvdB1fnu
— DJ?? (@Garvi_gujarat2) February 18, 2023
KL Rahul in every Big Match ?#INDvsAUS #IndiaVsAustralia pic.twitter.com/uc1wsZDb05
— ?? Rupen Chowdhury ? (@rupen_chowdhury) February 9, 2023
After playing 1-2 good shot kl rahul's skills to him pic.twitter.com/4jxHRQixm0
— memes_hallabol (@memes_hallabol) February 18, 2023
KL Rahul contribution for Team India in 2nd Test be like? #KLRahul#IndVsAus2023 #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/Fl5aPCbG6E
— Ashutosh Srivastava ?? (@sri_ashutosh08) February 18, 2023
KL Rahul#INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/lfRpo0MLcB
— Krishna (@Atheist_Krishna) February 18, 2023
#KLRahul #INDvAUS Klol again please give a chance to Shubman Gill now pic.twitter.com/U4yBu3CXK6
— ?? Vipul Sehgal (@VipulSehgal312) February 18, 2023
Shubman Gill after watching KL Rahul's innings……#INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/q4aTkhJUQg
— Krishna (@Atheist_Krishna) February 9, 2023
Kl Rahul doing exactly what he does the Best everytime , Walking wicket #KLRahul pic.twitter.com/gb46pS5Lpd
— Cricpedia (@_Cricpedia) February 18, 2023
Not Gavaskar or Sehwag, India's best Test opener is #KLRahul. Here's evidence for his form in the last 13 months: 8, 12, 10, 22, 23, 10, 2, 20, 17. Great batting average of 13!
— Sreejith Panickar (@PanickarS) February 18, 2023
KL Rahul's last 11 Test innings: 23 (74), 50 (133), 8 (21), 12 (35), 10 (22), 22 (54), 23 (62), 10 (45), 2 (7), 20 (71), 17 (41) – 197 runs, 565 balls, AVE 17.9.
Rahul has the lowest strike rate among all Test openers since 2022. Rohit's gesture after that six conveyed a lot.
— Lalith Kalidas (@lal__kal) February 18, 2023
KL Rahul Scores
10 , 4 , 0 , 16 , 54 , 4 , 13 , 8 , 10 , 23 , 36 , 19 , 0 , 37 , 149 , 0 , 4 , 33 , 2 , 44 , 2 , 0 , 9 , 44 , 38 , 13 , 6 , 84 , 26 , 129 , 5 , 0 , 8 , 17 , 46 , 123 , 23 ,50 ,8 ,12 ,10 ,22,23 , 10,2,20,17And he is our vc ??? 17 single digit scores #bgt pic.twitter.com/ZF0WDzSSBE
— Riseup Pant (@RiseupPant) February 18, 2023
KL Rahul after Continues failures#INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/fCxHHjcrlR
— Ctrl C Ctrl Memes (@Ctrlmemes_) February 18, 2023
Indian cricket fans to @BCCI #KLRahul #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/fxFGAWo5C6
— Sachya (@sachya2002) February 18, 2023
Nobody just KL Rahul after playing 2-3 good shots: pic.twitter.com/3eTwRghohs
— Puranpoli (@Kalyani9803) February 18, 2023
The great KL Rahul does it again. What he does best.
How he retains his place is a mystery?
Such a long rope.
So much talent sitting on the sidelines and ignored for this overrated player.
— Jiten Parmar (@jitenkparmar) February 18, 2023
