Opener KL Rahul is considered one of the most promising youngsters for Team India. However, he has failed to make his presence felt in the Test series against Australia in Adelaide and Perth.
On Monday, he opened the innings against the Aussies in the second innings of the second Test at Perth but lasted only four deliveries- prompting fans to question his place in the playing XI.
Rahul opened the Indian innings with Murali Vijay after the visitors were handed a target of 287 runs to chase down. He failed to negotiate a swinging delivery by Mitchell Starc in the first over of the innings with the ball hitting the stumps following an inside edge. The opener was left with no choice but to walk back with no runs against his name.
The Karnataka batsman fared no better in the first innings scoring just two runs off seventeen deliveries.
His performance in the first Test also left much to be desired with the opener scoring 2 and 44 runs respectively in Adelaide.
The fans made their displeasure following his dismissal in the second innings at Perth apparent almost immediately on social media, with many calling for him to be dropped in favour of Prithvi Shaw.
standing ovation for kl rahul
..end of test career.thankyou rahul @klrahul11— sravan ktv (@sra1ktv) December 17, 2018
@GautamGambhir was such a brilliant opener but you guys ruined his career and giving infinite chances to waste players like @klrahul11, @mvj888.
— Heisenberg (@Heisenberg369) December 17, 2018
Bhai isse #Mumbai main Modeling aur @AgerwalNidhhi pas Bhejdo… Dekh liya Special Talent #KlRahul @klrahul11 #AusVInd
— #RakulPreetFc_10 (@RakulPreetFc_10) December 17, 2018
Hazelwood is better batsman than KL Rahul
— prakash (@prakashbvs) December 17, 2018
India playing with 6 tailenders in this match. And 1st gone on d 4th ball.
— Prasad Mani (@Rasa_Prasad) December 17, 2018
Indian opener for test-
Vijay and Rahul: –
Prithvi and Rohit: –— Salim Wasim (@SalimWasim6) December 17, 2018
However, several die-hard fans have called for Rahul to be handed a long rope citing the example of Rohit Sharma who initially struggled to make an impact in international cricket for India before developing into a reliable cricketer.
Source: Zee News