Team India's star middle-order batter KL Rahul for the first time in his career is dealing with such lean patch across formats, excluding the ODIs. His repeated failures in Test cricket forced the selectors to remove him as India's vice-captain in Tests. It is highly likely that he might not be picked for the last two Tests against Australia in Indore and Ahmedabad.
KL Rahul's last ton in Tests came back in December 2021 vs South Africa at Centurion. The wicketkeeper-batter scored just 38 runs in the first two Tests against Australia with an average of 12.67. Rahul, in his last 10 Test innings for India, hasn't scored a single 25-plus score.
KL Rahul's teammate Dinesh Karthik said he feels bad for the star opener, adding that the reason why he has been removed as Rohit's deputy in red-ball cricket is due to below-par outings since India tour of South Africa in 2021.
"He also knows for a fact that if he's going to be dropped for the next match, which is pretty much an eventuality, it is not because of the one innings, it is because of what has transpired in the last five-six Test matches. He is a class player. He is very good in all formats. At this point, I don't think it's the technique, it's what is happening between the ears. He might need some time away from the game. Come back fresh for the ODIs," Karthik said on Cricbuzz.
The veteran keeper-batter gave a self-example, revealing he has gone through similar phases in his career where he went to the washroom and shed a tear or two.
"This is a professional world, you've got to deal with those sorrowful moments but as a player when I look at what he has gone through. When you get out that way knowing very well this could have been your last innings. It has happened to me when you go into the dressing room, quietly walk into the toilet, and shed a tear or two. It's not a nice feeling because there's not much you can do," Karthik said.
Rahul's repeated failures could help in-form Shubman Gill to replace him as second opener for remaining two Tests against Australia.