The right-handed batsman KL Rahul has once again been left out from the Indian team in the ODI series. After making a place for him in the Ranchi ODI, the Virat Kohli-led Indian team left him for the decider of the series. Meanwhile, few of the Indian fans didn’t like the move, as they expressed their opinion out on social media.
Earlier, KL Rahul, who opened the innings for India in the first T20I against Australia in absence of Shikhar Dhawan scored a brilliant fifty. He was the highest scorer for the team on a wicket, which looked really tough to bat freely. He carried the same form in the second T20I game at his home venue. Unfortunately, he couldn’t repeat it in the 4th ODI at Ranchi.
KL Rahul played only one game in the ODI series:
It came as a shocker for the Indian fans, as they felt that KL Rahul would be a sure shot addition. Recently, MSK Prasad, Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri also quoted that they would like to give some game time for the youngster. But, unfortunately, that wasn’t the case. Perhaps and rightly, they are worried about the ongoing series.
In place of KL Rahul, India brought Mohammed Shami back in the side. It might be the sign that India would like to Test Vijay Shankar at number 4 for the team. In between, Ravindra Jadeja also back in the side, who replaced Yuzvendra Chahal for the decider.
The Indian skipper Virat Kohli felt that it was the balanced playing XI for the final ODI of the series. They went with an extra-bowler hoping that the batsmen would do the job in the chase.
”Chahal misses out and Jadeja comes in as an all-rounder, and KL misses out to make way for Shami. An extra bowling option for us, and this, we feel is our most balanced side,” Virat Kohli said.
However, it would be interesting to see how Indians would approach the game. Most probably, they would love to chase a low score, as they went with a bowling-heavy unit for the final clash.
Here are a few tweets:
Rahul dropped. Rayudu doesn’t play either. It seems, it’ll be Vijay Shankar at 4 today. The questions India hoped to answer before this series might be left unanswered. After 7 games. #IndvAus
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) March 13, 2019
I am convinced KL Rahul will not be among the regular starters at the 2019 World Cup. Every now and then Virat and the management make a call which excludes him off the scheme of things. Maybe they don't trust him enough, maybe.#INDvsAUS
— ?????? ????? (@GautamSodhi1) March 13, 2019
Kl rahul को खिलाना चाहिए, समझ जाओ तो बेहतर है चुतियों
— Shubham (@shubh__sen) March 13, 2019
https://twitter.com/omrajguuru/status/1105742373445922816
@_rroy
Interesting to see Vijay Shankar at no. 4 but feel for kl Rahul should have got another opportunity— JatinArora:HISAR (@JatinaroraH) March 13, 2019
Don't know why KL rahul was just played for one game?
— Jatin (@LogicalBakwaas) March 13, 2019
https://twitter.com/AffanzainJunaid/status/1105741250311778304
@MSKPrasad5 @imVkohli @RaviShastriOfc Again KL Rahul seated out aftr only1match. How he will prove himself.He will get surely demotivate.its really difficult to understand the Team Management planning.Y team India is doing so many experiment.R Jadeja se hardly 10 run ban pate hai
— Shri Ram@Jai Shri Ram (@idsharma53) March 13, 2019
So KL Rahul, See you after the World Cup #INDvAUs
— BS (@Ahmadbilal111) March 13, 2019
Indian playing 11 joke of the era
Worst Captaincy by kohli in perspective of team selection— Bablu (@itsbablu_) March 13, 2019
Kl ?? ???
— Aniruddh (@annichaudhury) March 13, 2019
https://twitter.com/vishnu55242198/status/1105737015855734785
https://twitter.com/beardpencoffee/status/1105738805997297667
Today's team brings uncertainty over KL Rahul spot in WC squad. Jadeja has been given another chance to find his batting form. So, will 2 allrounders feature in the final playing XI, is to be seen. It can be a PnC b/w Jadeja vs Shankar vs Pandya #INDvsAUS @cricbuzz
— Ayush Jain (@JAyush_25) March 13, 2019