KL Rahul’s class is never in question. And going by recent knocks, his intent is also coming to terms with what is required in modern T20 cricket. But, now a little question about his consistency and his big-game capability, is under scrutiny.
Having scored 55 in the first T20I, while showing impressive intent in the powerplay, KL Rahul was dismissed for 10 in the second T20I.
In the series-decider against Australia, in Hyderabad, India needed a solid start from their openers in pursuit of a big target of 187. However, the Karnataka batter, who is also India’s vice-captain now, failed to deliver on the big night- dismissed for only 1 run in the first over itself.
KL Rahul’s cheap score triggers criticism once again
Daniel Sams was given the new ball ahead of Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins. And the left-arm seamer delivered on the expectations by dismissing opener KL Rahul on the last ball of the first over. Sams had started from around the wicket angle – the same angle to which Dinesh Karthik smashed him for 6 and 4 in the previous game – but then changed back to over the wicket.
A wily and T20 experienced bowler, Sams had already used the slower cutter ball to Rohit Sharma on the fifth ball of the over, which yielded Sharma and India a single.
Sams again went for a slightly off pace length delivery – marked at 126 KPH – but it seems like the extra bounce for the new hard ball did KL Rahul, who couldn’t connect his hard pull well. Rahul aimed for the mid-wicket fence, but top-edged it behind the wicket-keeper.
The eagle-eyed Matthew Wade sprinted behind and almost – almost – missed the catch, but as the ball came down he dived full length to complete a terrific catch and end KL Rahul’s short stay in the middle.
This triggered spate of criticism for the Indian vice-captain, who was trolled heavily on Twitter.
Here are some of the tweets trolling and criticising KL Rahul after his latest failure:
“KL Rahul is best batter to watch on his day” that day is 29 February arrives once in 4 years
— Pushkar (@musafir_hu_yar) September 25, 2022
KL Rahul’s failure in key matches is a serious concern. Has happened far too many times #INDVAUS
— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) September 25, 2022
Waiting for the day when KL Rahul scores in an important game.
— 🚬Aa🚬 (@imaatmanirbhar) September 25, 2022
#INDvAUS
KL Rahul in every big Match pic.twitter.com/ckSliCpkTH— Durgesh (@DK63528500) September 25, 2022
KL Rahul departs for just 1 in 4 balls. What a start by Australia, excellent catch by Wade.
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) September 25, 2022
Pant having 25 avg in t20is this year vs KL Rahul having 23 avg in t20is this year pic.twitter.com/wvk1cCyvgZ
— Ketan (@RP17_ketan) September 25, 2022
Fraudiya Rahul
— Maarwadi🚩🚩 (@Marwadi99) September 25, 2022
Entire country to KL Rahul: pic.twitter.com/YxIDITgmon
— Vishesh Monga (@infinitevishesh) September 25, 2022
KL Rahul everytime Indian cricket team needs him!#INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/XzKJB9BJrd
— Vishal Verma (@VishalVerma_9) September 25, 2022
KL Rahul in Big Matches:
2021 T20 WC:
Vs Pak 3(8)
Vs NZ 18(16)2022:
Vs Pak 0(1)
Vs Pak 28(20)Super 4
Vs SL 6(7)
Vs Aus 2nd T20i 10(6)
Vs Aus 3rd T20i 1(4)BIGGEST UNDERRATED CHOKER
Klol’s reaction when he knows everytime he’ll escape criticism: pic.twitter.com/Mzbbaind2C
— MK (@NotMK45) September 25, 2022
3 things are permanent in life
• Birth
• Death
• KL Rahul choking in an important match— AKHIL MAHAJAN (@jammu_aala) September 25, 2022
Everything is temporary bt,
KL Rahul bottling do r die match is permanent……!😭
— Akram Khan (@AkramK2108) September 25, 2022
