Bengaluru‘s local boy KL Rahul faced a disappointing performance during the 1st Test between India and New Zealand at M Chinnaswamy Stadium. The Karnataka batter had a forgettable outing, scoring just 0 and 12 in both innings, leaving fans and critics questioning his place in the team.

In India’s first innings, Rahul was dismissed without scoring, failing to capitalize on the home advantage. During the second innings, he walked in to bat in the 85th over after Sarfaraz Khan was dismissed for 150 runs, courtesy of a delivery from Ajaz Patel. At that point, India had already established a solid position, having scored 408 runs for the loss of four wickets. With Rishabh Pant and Sarfaraz dominating the batting, expectations were high for Rahul to contribute significantly.

As Pant transitioned from a supportive role to an aggressive one following Sarfaraz’s departure, Rahul adopted a more cautious approach. Unfortunately, this strategy backfired when Pant was bowled out at 99 by William O’Rourke. Soon after, Rahul’s innings ended abruptly right before the tea break, further aggravating the frustrations of fans.

Rahul’s underwhelming performance sparked a wave of criticism on social media, with some fans calling for his exclusion from the Indian Test side. Many argued that Sarfaraz’s impressive century should warrant his inclusion in the playing XI, leading to calls for Rahul to make way.

Here are some notable Twitter reactions:

  • “KL Rahul needs to find form or make way for Sarfaraz. It’s time for a change!”
  • “Rahul’s performance today was disappointing, especially at home. We need consistent players.”
  • “With Sarfaraz scoring big, KL Rahul should consider stepping back until he finds his rhythm.”

KL Rahul’s form has been a point of concern for some time now. His inconsistent performance has drawn scrutiny, particularly after his comeback in the first Test against Bangladesh, where he managed scores of 16 and an unbeaten 22. While he did impress with a quick fifty in the second Test in Kanpur, questions about his approach in the longer format remain.

Despite the criticism, Rahul’s experience and past contributions to the team continue to keep him in the selectors’ plans. However, with rising competition, particularly from players like Sarfaraz Khan, the pressure is on him to deliver consistent performances in future matches.