The battle was always going to be India’s batters against South African pacers – the strengths of the two teams – when they were to collide in Perth on Sunday. When they did, it was all fire from the South African pacers that blew the Indian batting away, silencing the dozens of thousands of fans at the Optus Stadium.
It was almost inevitable, almost foreseen that the Indian openers won’t be able to survive out of the powerplay against the Protea pace attack. And it wasn’t surprising when it happened.
The fact that both the openers managed to get till 5 overs was laudable (no sarcasm here). Because such has been their form, and the South African fast bowlers’ form and potency; and on this Perth surface, the Protea seamers were a menace to handle.
Should India drop KL Rahul?
Wayne Parnell challenged KL Rahul in the corridor of uncertainty outside off-stump and into his body, and started the game with a maiden over that had KL Rahul praying for his life even with little swing movement.
Rabada then had Rohit Sharma on a tight leash barring the hook six. KL Rahul had some of his say as he clubbed a rare full ball from Parnell for a six over wide long-on. India were 21/0 after 4 overs and just when it was time to up the ante, India’s batting derailed spectacularly.
Lungi Ngidi bounced out Rohit Sharma, caught and bowled, as the Indian skipper mistimed his pull shot and departed for 15 off 14 balls. In the same over, Ngidi had the other opener, KL Rahul, finally nicking to one delivery outside off-stump and Markram took the catch at first slip. KL Rahul had managed scores of 4 and 9 in the last two matches, and looked again very tentative in today’s innings of 9 runs off 14 balls.
Fans on Twitter exploded as both Rohit and Rahul produced another abject performance with the bat – similar to the Pakistan game – and left the middle-order with lots to do once again.
Netizens slammed the Indian openers for their poor show against South Africa. Here are some of the tweets:
Our openers are basically the guys in the gully cricket who own the bat and wickets.
— Gabbbar (@GabbbarSingh) October 30, 2022
Every freaking time now. #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/yRgYjNZmjN
— Shankspeare™ (@Goofyshanks) October 30, 2022
Indian cricketers better win this match.
Or they’ll face the wrath of the most ruthless cricket critics in the world: ex-Pakistani cricketers.
— Sorabh Pant (@hankypanty) October 30, 2022
Klol at every match: https://t.co/JLazVtwpR1
— Aneruddhan (@_aniiii08_) October 23, 2022
Virat to KLol : pic.twitter.com/nG4OWaQ5Of
— The Cricket Philosopher (@outof22yards) October 30, 2022
Thanku Klol for your incredible choking career.
Images after this world cup. pic.twitter.com/hL72LIjC8Y— Rp¹⁷ (@89at_gabba) October 23, 2022
KLol.. Actually a Temba Bavuma of Indian Cricket Team. #INDvsSA #TeamIndia #T20WorldCup
— Rajeev Rai 🇮🇳 (@Rajeev_Bharat) October 30, 2022
Blame Rohit and Rahul For Indian Batting Collapse .
They both Took 28 Balls to score 24 Runs in Powerplay .
Pathetic Start from our Openers . #INDvsSA , Suryakumar Yadav , #ViratKohli𓃵 , #ViratKohli , #RohitSharma , #BoycottCadbury , Deepak Hooda , #indiavssa , Pant , Klol— Rɪsʜᴀʙʜ 𝐢𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 (@Pant_life) October 30, 2022
Klol is very proudly consistent in not performing👏 👌 pic.twitter.com/7gtacss029
— Angry Foofa 🏹 (@AngryFoofa) October 30, 2022
Every Rohit Sharma inning now a days. pic.twitter.com/GTq6uiNEPt
— Pakchikpak Raja Babu (@HaramiParindey) October 30, 2022
Still a better opener than KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma pic.twitter.com/DBl6J5xrqo
— Fawkes (@OmkarMoze) October 30, 2022
