KL Rahul Last 20 Test Innings: India batter's lean patch continues as he falls cheaply in Delhi Test

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Updated KL Rahul Last 20 Test Innings Score

84 (vs England in Nottingham in 2021), 26, 129 (vs ENG at Lord's in 2021), 5, 0, 8, 17, 46, 123 (vs South Africa in Centurion in 2022), 23, 50 (vs SA in Johannesburg in 2022), 8, 12, 10, 22, 23, 10, 2, 20, 17, 1 (vs Australia in 2nd innings of 2nd Test in Delhi)

India batter KL Rahul's lean patch with the bat continued as he was dismissed cheaply in the first innings of the second Test on Saturday (February 18).

The right-handed batter - who has been under scrutiny due to his consistently poor form - failed to leave a mark yet again with the bat.

Opening the batting for India in the first innings after the hosts restricted the Australians to 263 in their first innings on day one, Rahul scored just 17 runs and walked back to the pavilion.

He followed that up with another yet disappointing outing in the second innings of the Delhi Test when he was dismissed for 1.

The Karnataka batter - who also happens to be the vice-captain of the Test side - has been consistently failing with the bat and leaving the team in the lurch.

KL Rahul Last 20 Test Innings

DNB - Did Not Bat

KL Rahul performance against Australia in Delhi Test

Despite failing to make a mark in the opening Test against Australia in Nagpur, Rahul got a preference over young Shubman Gill in the playing eleven for the second consecutive time.

Having seen off the last 30-35 minutes carefully on day one, the team hoped that the opening duo of Rohit and Rahul will bat for a longer period of time on day two. Rahul disappointed again to be trapped on the first ball of the 17th over - which was being bowled by Lyon.

The 30-year-old batter challenged the on-field decision quickly and reviewed it. The replays confirmed the umpire's call as the 'ball tracker' confirmed some portion of the ball was hitting the stumps.

KL Rahul vs Australia in Nagpur Test 2023

In the only innings which Team India batted in the opening game of the four-match series, Rahul scored 20 and faced 71 deliveries. Just when it seemed that the senior cricketer had his eyes set, the right-handed batter gave a simple return catch to spinner Todd Murphy. Rahul was the first Indian wicket to perish in the second innings of the opening game. The hosts, thus, lost a wicket at the stroke of stumps.

The clamour for benching Rahul has been on the rise as he hasn't been able to justify his position on the Test side. Former cricketers and experts believe that the top-order batter - who has played 46 Tests and averages a paltry 34.07; and averages 31.75 in the last 24 months in 11 Tests - is blocking the way for someone who's in form.

Former Cricketers question KL Rahul's spot in Team India

Former India pacer and ex-India bowling coach, Venkatesh Prasad, claimed that Rahul is getting selected in the Indian squad based on "favouritism" despite talented and in-form players like Shubman Gill and Sarfaraz Khan waiting in the wings.

Prasad took to Twitter to launch a series of attacks on the Indian team management. Prasad tweeted, "I have a lot of regard for KL Rahul's talent and ability, but sadly his performances have been well below par. A test average of 34 after 46 tests and more than 8 years in international cricket is ordinary. Can't think of many who have been given so many chances."

Sunil Gavaskar backs struggling Lokesh Rahul

Former India cricketer and legendary batter Sunil Gavaskar, however, while reacting to Prasad's opinion claimed that the right-handed batter should get a chance in the second Test.

"I feel the way he has batted in the last 1-2 years, he performed well. I feel he should be given one more chance. I'm sure he will be backed for the Test match in Delhi. After that you can give it a thought because you have an in-form batter ready to replace him, Shubman Gill," Gavaskar told India Today.