KL Rahul is undoubtedly going through the worst phase of his international career so far. The right-handed batsman is going through a barren run in the game and is facing severe criticism with each failure on the field.
Just a couple of months ago, he was the captain of the Test team when Rohit Sharma missed the series against Bangladesh due to injury. Things have completely changed now. He has already been removed as the vice-captain for the last two Tests of the ongoing series against Australia.
And if reports are to be believed then he might make way for Shubman Gill in the playing eleven for the upcoming Test. There have widespread calls to drop him from the team following the string of poor performances he has given on the field.
KL Rahul’s scores in his last Test innings are – 8, 12, 10, 22, 23, 10, 2, 20, 17, and 1. Unsurprisingly, he has been under severe pressure and the calls to drop him from the team have increased with easy passing innings. His form in the ongoing series against Australia has not been great either and it won’t be surprising if he faces the axe for the third Test in Indore.
Dinesh Karthik on KL Rahul:
As KL Rahul faces criticism from all around, his former India teammate Dinesh Karthik has tried to explain the position the batsman is in. Karthik noted that Rahul won’t be losing his place in the team for his poor outing in the Delhi Test but because of the string of poor outings in recent times.
“He also knows for a fact that if he’s going to be dropped for the next match, which is pretty much an eventuality, it is not because of the one innings, it is because of what has transpired in the last five-six Test matches. He is a class player. He is very good in all formats. At this point, I don’t think it’s the technique, it’s what is happening between the ears. He might need some time away from the game. Come back fresh for the ODIs,” Karthik said on Cricbuzz.
Karthik further stated that he could understand the situation KL Rahul is in. Recalling his own experience, the veteran batsman revealed that he once went to the washroom and shed a tear or two as things got tough on the field.
“This is a professional world, you’ve got to deal with those sorrowful moments but as a player when I look at what he has gone through. When you get out that way knowing very well this could have been your last innings. It has happened to me when you go into the dressing room, quietly walk into the toilet, and shed a tear or two. It’s not a nice feeling because there’s not much you can do,” he said.
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