On Tuesday (4th February), the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the Test squad for the two-match Test series against New Zealand. India’s opener Rohit Sharma has been ruled of the series because of a calf injury, thus Prithvi Shaw has been included in the squad. While the in-form batsman KL Rahul has not been given the place following a remarkable show in the T20I series.
Last year, Rahul had a poor outing in the longest format of cricket which led his ouster from the Test team. In his place, Rohit was given the chance as an opener in the Test fold.
In the recent past, the 27-year-old has impressed in the white-ball cricket. Evidently, in the T20I series against New Zealand, he was awarded as the Man of the Series. He scored 224 runs in the five-match T20I series with an average of 56.
Also, in the recent past, in the ODI series against Australia, he played match-winning knocks.
Thus, his continuous constant performance has led to questioning his ouster from the Test squad against New Zealand.
The youngster Shaw and Shubhman Gill have earned the call in the upcoming Test series. Both the players are busy playing the four dayer matches against New Zealand A.
Cricket fans also questioned on what strong reason Rahul has been not included in the squad. Some were against the right-hand batsman’s exclusion while some appreciated the decision.
Here is how Twitterati responded over the exclusion of KL Rahul:
@BCCI has become a joke
two debutants opening in overseas that to against NZ??♂️
all these years they have kept KL Rahul as backup opener benching him continuously which ruined his form and just based on 1 innings they has thrown him @5 ?#TeamIndia #NZvsIND #INDvsNZ
— Kiran (@half_seas_over_) February 4, 2020
Disappointed there is no place for kl rahul
— Johnwesly (@Johnwes99661735) February 4, 2020
People are thinking where is kl rahul he will be coaching the Indian team that's why he is not playing…??#NZvsIND #KLRahul https://t.co/eeUXcFMjCF
— crick_foot_lover (@strawhatvibss) February 4, 2020
https://twitter.com/HassanRaveendra/status/1224546142144172032?s=20
https://twitter.com/garden_hacks/status/1224545907372199937?s=20
Even i am supporting for kl rahul bcoz of his confidence,red hot form in couple of months he is doing well in odi and t20 he got 50+ avg in last 13 matches in odi and t20 same way why couldn't try for test format,,in 2018 completely he lost his confidence form but not now
— Rocky Prince (@RockyPr78610712) February 4, 2020
Best in form player KL Rahul not in the team? . He can be best in all formats
— Sharan (@Sharan66788584) February 4, 2020
Not tough on kl rahul? He's in form of his life. Such confidence, would've been a perfect comeback for him
— Rohit ? (@bahirwani_rohit) February 4, 2020
@vikrantgupta73 Very disappointed with test squad. Why KL Rahul is not in this Squad. All three Openers are inexperienced for Foreign Tour(NZ). Not to forget this is World Test Championship. In Absence of Rohit, KL Should be in this Squad. Also bcoz of his current form.
— Kushal Kumar (@sahkushalkr) February 4, 2020