In a shocking turn of events that many did not anticipate, India received a crushing 3-0 defeat at the hands of New Zealand, marking the first time in nearly 90 years that they had been whitewashed in a series of three or more Tests on home soil. The series, which included an innings of 46 all out, exposed a slew of vulnerabilities in the Indian batting lineup. KL Rahul who was dropped from the series for the last two matches following disappointing scores of 0 and 12 in the first Test, faced unrelenting criticism about his form and readiness.
However, with Rohit Sharma’s presence doubtful for the first Test in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Rahul is likely to be called upon to open the innings alongside either Shubman Gill or Yashasvi Jaiswal. The BCCI is all set to fly him out to Australia to participate in practice matches, signalling his return to the playing XI.
A tough time against New Zealand
Rahul’s struggles were magnified in the recently concluded New Zealand series, where his efforts to convert his starts went kaput. His dismissals in the first Test, combined with India’s collapse for 46 runs, Sarfaraz Khan’s immaculate performance and Gill’s return were factors that influenced his exclusion from the squad.
Although Rahul’s inability to anchor the innings was on display in the Bangalore Test, his experience and past contributions still make him a pragmatic choice for the challenging conditions in Australia.
What Makes Rahul an Asset?
Looking past his recent failures, Rahul’s versatility in the batting order and experience in foreign conditions make him a potential asset for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He possesses the calibre to adapt to different positions and offers flexibility in the batting lineup. Given the wobbliness of the Indian batting, it is crucial for the management to deploy a batter up the order who can stabilise the innings and prioritise building a foundation. If Rahul can convert his starts and maintain composure, he could ultimately take some pressure off the middle order – which has often been forced into a rescue role – and build a bedrock for the team in Australia.
Outlook for the Series
A strong outing in Australia would mean more than just personal redemption for Rahul, who has been at the receiving end of intense criticism on social media. It could also offer India the steady opening partnership they desperately need. If Rahul can hit his stride and deliver consistent scores, he could bring the much-needed stability to India’s lineup and lay the foundation for India’s aggressive middle order to build on.
Can he seize the opportunity and rise from the setbacks in challenging Australian conditions and against an opponent that will never back down? Can the 32 year old redefine his threatened place in the squad and make the comeback worth the front pages of an Australian newspaper? Only time will tell if Rahul can step up to the challenge, but as of now, the hope of India’s top order rests heavily on his shoulders.