New Delhi: KL Rahul’s spot in India’s playing XI for the 2nd Test in New Zealand is under scrutiny after his woeful run continued in the series opener in Bengaluru. Rahul was expected to turn a corner against the Kiwis at his home ground but he failed to do so as India endured an 8-wicket defeat to go 1-0 down in the three-match series.
The timing couldn’t have been worse for Rahul as his slump is colliding with the rise of Sarafaraz Khan. Sarfaraz, who came on as a replacement for injured Shubman Gill, made the most of his opportunity in the Bengaluru Test as he notched up his maiden Test ton for India. The 26-year-old displayed his class and composure under pressure to notch up a brilliant knock of 150 runs in India’s second innings.
Sarfaraz has made his case stronger with his stellar ton in the series opener and has increased the headache for the Indian team management, who will have to take a tough call once Gill returns for the 2nd Test against New Zealand in Pune next week. Rahul’s spot is under the scanner as it remains to be seen if he will be persisted with or will Sarfaraz get rewarded for his heroics in the next game.
KL Rahul’s slump in form
Rahul has been dealing with a rough patch in Test cricket for a while now having not been able to perform consistently for India in his new role in the middle order. The experienced batter, who was once a vital cog in the Test team, has been entrusted with the responsibility of batting in the middle order. However, he has failed to repay the faith shown in him by the team management.
Rahul has been given a good run in the middle order considering he is the strongest contender for the role in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia later this year. However, Rahul’s performances have been far from convincing, raising questions over his spot in the playing XI. The right-hander notched up 106 runs in two Tests against Bangladesh at home last month and could only score 12 runs in two innings against New Zealand in Bengaluru.
He was dismissed on a duck in the first innings against the Kiwis but was expected to bounce back like others in the second innings. However, Rahul produced another flop show in the second innings as he was sent packing on 12 with India enduring another collapse against the second new ball which ended their aspirations of staging a comeback in the game after 46-all out in their first innings.
Headache for team management
Amid Rahul’s lean patch, Sarfaraz has added to the headache for the Indian team management by staking his claim with an exceptional knock of 150 runs. A run machine in domestic cricket, Sarfaraz’s hard work seems to be finally paying off as he makes a name for himself in Test cricket.
While he has done enough to secure his spot in the XI for the 2nd Test against New Zealand even if Gill returns, it remains to be seen if the Indian team management will reward him or continue backing Rahul at no.6. India will lock horns with New Zealand in the 2nd Test at the MCA Stadium in Pune starting Thursday, October 24.
