Once again, KL Rahul struggled as he failed to demonstrate his abilities to the Indian selectors in the second unofficial Test match against Australia A on Friday. As the only player in the India A lineup with experience at the MCG, expectations were high for Rahul to guide the team to improvement following a disheartening loss in their previous match.
This game was crucial for KL Rahul, serving as an audition to solidify his place in India’s Test squad ahead of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy and to dispel any doubts regarding his batting prowess. Unfortunately, the opposite occurred, as Rahul was dismissed cheaply in both innings.
In the first innings, the right-handed wicketkeeper-batter managed just four runs off four balls before being caught by Australia A wicketkeeper Jimmy Peirson off the bowling of Scott Boland. Things took a turn for the worse in his second innings when a strange defense-turned-leave against spinner Corey Rocchiccioli resulted in the ball crashing into the stumps, leaving Rahul both bewildered and out.
Here is the video:
"Don't know what he was thinking!"
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 8, 2024
Oops… that's an astonishing leave by KL Rahul 😱 #AUSAvINDA pic.twitter.com/e4uDPH1dzz
Having been dropped during the home Tests against New Zealand, the Indian selectors, in consultation with team management, decided to send Rahul and reserve keeper Dhruv Jurel for the second ‘A’ Test before they joined the senior team in Perth.
However, Rahul’s recent performance has placed him under scrutiny, leaving selectors with serious reservations about including him in the squad.
