Cricket

India's senior batsman KL Rahul is facing pressure to regain his run-scoring form ahead of a demanding schedule of nine Tests in four months. The team is backing him to rediscover his touch, starting with the ongoing Test against Bangladesh in Kanpur.Rahul's return to the side after an injury layoff has been underwhelming, with scores of 16 and 22 not out in the first Test. His last century came in December 2023, a drought that has lasted almost three years.Assistant coach Abhishek Nayar expressed confidence in Rahul's ability to turn things around. "KL is someone who understands his game very well," Nayar said. "There are times when a player is finding his feet. Hopefully, we can have a turnaround in KL as well."India's upcoming schedule includes three Tests against New Zealand at home, followed by a five-Test tour of Australia. Nayar noted that Rahul showed glimpses of form in the first Test against Bangladesh, particularly in the second innings when he scored 22 off 19 balls."The way he was batting in the second innings is the kind of cricket we are expecting and hoping for," Nayar said. "I am pretty sure going forward you will see the expectations and the performances that you have from him."India's victory against Bangladesh marked a significant milestone, as it pushed their Test win rate above 50 percent for the first time in history. The team has now won 179 Tests and lost 178.

KL Rahul's struggles have continued unabated, raising concerns about his place in India's Test squad. The veteran batter has failed to make a significant impact in recent outings, prompting a warning from the team management.In the first Test against Bangladesh in Chennai, Rahul managed only 16 off 52 deliveries in the first innings and 22 not out off 19 in the second. His performance was particularly disappointing given the presence of Sarfaraz Khan, a proven performer in subcontinent conditions, waiting in the wings.Rahul's struggles extend beyond the Chennai Test. In his sole Duleep Trophy outing before that, he scored 37 off 111 and 57 off 121 deliveries, raising eyebrows with his labored approach.A BCCI official has reportedly stated that Rahul has been in "kind of a shell," with his performance in both the Duleep Trophy and the Chennai Test being a cause for concern.Former India left-arm spinner Sunil Joshi believes that Rahul can redeem himself by spending more time at the crease. "His numbers in Tests abroad speak for themselves," Joshi said. "He just needs to spend more time at the crease which will lead to runs, whoever the opposition is, because he has every shot in his armoury."Joshi emphasized the importance of Rahul consuming more deliveries to develop the necessary red-ball intent. "He needs to consume more number of balls just to feel the red-ball intent because red-ball cricket is played session-wise," Joshi explained.With the second Test against Bangladesh approaching, Rahul's place in the XI is under threat. If he fails to improve his performance, he could face the prospect of being dropped from the squad.

KL Rahul, the talented Indian opener, has showcased his exceptional batting prowess with sublime centuries across various Test venues. Despite his impressive achievements, his career statistics have not fully reflected his potential.Rahul's journey has been marked by both brilliance and inconsistency. He holds the distinction of being the only Indian opener to score Test hundreds in England, South Africa, and Australia. He is also the only visiting batter to achieve two Test centuries at Supersport Park, Centurion, a notoriously challenging ground for non-South African batters. Additionally, Rahul is the only Indian batter to score seven consecutive Test 50s.However, Rahul's overall Test average of under 35 has left fans and critics questioning his consistency. Factors such as a "confused approach," "over-thinking," and "scoreboard inertia" have been cited as potential reasons for his modest figures.Despite these challenges, Rahul has received significant support from successive captain-coach combinations. He was appointed as India's 34th Test captain in 2022, but his form suffered during his tenure. However, he has regained the backing of current captain Rohit Sharma, who has expressed confidence in Rahul's ability to flourish in Test cricket.Rahul's versatility has been a key factor in his longevity. He has seamlessly transitioned from opener to wicketkeeper and middle-order enforcer in ODIs, delivering notable performances such as his match-winning century against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2023.As India prepares for the upcoming tour of Australia, Rahul's presence as a backup wicketkeeper to Rishabh Pant could prove invaluable. His ability to bat at various positions, including No. 6, provides the team with flexibility and depth.Rahul's career has been a tale of both promise and frustration. With the support of his captain and the team management, he has the opportunity to overcome his inconsistencies and establish himself as a consistent performer in Test cricket.

KL Rahul, India's prodigious batsman, has reached the coveted milestone of 8000 international runs. However, despite this achievement, former India head coach Ravi Shastri believes that Rahul needs to undergo a mindset shift to fully unlock his potential and deliver consistent performances.Rahul's milestone came during the ongoing first Test against Bangladesh in Chennai. After a modest first innings, he played a brief but unbeaten knock in the second, helping India extend their lead. This achievement places him among the elite Indian cricketers who have surpassed 8000 international runs.While acknowledging Rahul's talent, Shastri emphasized the need for a change in mindset. "KL Rahul needs to realize the immense talent he possesses. When he does that and approaches the game with a different mindset, he will become a formidable player," Shastri said.Rahul's inconsistency, particularly in Test cricket, has been a concern. Despite match-winning performances and crucial knocks in limited-overs cricket, his Test average remains a modest 34.12 after 50 matches. Former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar attributes this inconsistency to a temperamental issue rather than technical deficiencies."Rahul's performances have been erratic. He plays a brilliant innings in one Test and then seems disinterested in the next two or three," Manjrekar commented. "He has some brilliant hundreds, but an average of 34 tells you about his temperament."Reaching 8000 international runs is a testament to Rahul's capabilities across formats. With 8017 runs in 200 matches, including 17 hundreds and 54 half-centuries, he has already achieved what many cricketers aspire to. His versatility as a batter is evident in his performances in both Tests and limited-overs cricket.However, Shastri and other experts believe that Rahul's true potential lies in his ability to perform consistently and reach new heights. This requires a mental shift that will allow him to approach the game with a different mindset and unlock the full extent of his talent.

KL Rahul's underwhelming performance in the first innings of the Chennai Test against Bangladesh has raised concerns about his temperament and purpose at the crease. Former India batsman Sanjay Manjrekar criticized Rahul's "innings without purpose," highlighting his tendency to overthink his technique rather than relying on his instincts.Rahul, playing in his 51st Test, was dismissed for a laborious 16 off 52 balls by spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz. His innings came at a crucial juncture when India was struggling at 34 for 3. Rishabh Pant and Yashaswi Jaiswal had provided some stability with a 62-run partnership, but Rahul's dismissal left India in a precarious position.Manjrekar believes that Rahul's temperamental issues have hindered his progress in Test cricket. Despite scoring hundreds in challenging conditions, Rahul's average of 33.87 reflects his inconsistency. "The numbers that he has...He's got hundreds, not one or two, quite a few in testing conditions. But the average of 34 tells you about his temperament," said Manjrekar.Rahul's struggles are particularly concerning given his experience and the importance of his role in the Indian batting lineup. As an opener, he is expected to provide a solid foundation for the team. However, his recent performances have raised questions about his ability to handle pressure and deliver consistently.Manjrekar hopes that Rahul can improve his temperament and rediscover his form in the second innings. "Let's hope things improve for him in the second innings," he said.

India's Test captain, Rohit Sharma, has emphasized that his team remains unfazed by the fact that every team relishes the opportunity to defeat India. Ahead of the two-match Test series against Bangladesh, Rohit stated that the Indian team is solely focused on executing their game plan."We understand that every team enjoys beating India, but we don't dwell on that," Rohit said at a press conference. "Our focus is on our own performance and achieving our objectives."Rohit acknowledged Bangladesh's recent Test series victory in Pakistan, but he expressed confidence in his team's preparation. "We've had a productive camp in Chennai and are well-prepared," he said.Regarding the potential inclusion of KL Rahul in the playing XI, Rohit expressed his belief in Rahul's abilities. "KL Rahul has the talent to succeed in Test cricket," Rohit said. "I have no doubt that he can be successful in this format."With the World Test Championship (WTC) final in sight, Rohit stressed the importance of every match. "Every game is crucial when playing for the country," he said. "We're not treating this series as a dress rehearsal for Australia. We need to start the season strongly and accumulate WTC points."India's upcoming schedule includes a five-Test series in Australia in November, following the two Tests against Bangladesh and three Tests against New Zealand at home.

KL Rahul's future in the Indian Premier League (IPL) has become a subject of intense speculation following his recent comments about a potential move to Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). The rumors gained traction after a viral video emerged of Rahul engaging in a conversation with a fan who expressed his desire to see the star batsman join RCB.Rahul's IPL journey began with RCB in 2013, where he spent two seasons before moving to Sunrisers Hyderabad for the 2014 and 2015 campaigns. He returned to RCB in 2016 but missed the entire 2017 season due to injury. After his release from RCB, Rahul joined Punjab Kings, where he played from 2018 to 2021.In 2022, Rahul became the captain of the newly formed Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) franchise. Under his leadership, LSG reached the playoffs in both 2022 and 2023, but failed to advance beyond the knockout rounds. However, the team's performance dipped in 2024, finishing seventh in the league standings.Rahul's recent comments have fueled speculation that he may be considering a move to RCB ahead of the 2025 IPL season. In the viral video, a fan asked Rahul about the possibility of joining RCB, to which the batsman replied, "Let's hope so."If Rahul does make the switch to RCB, it would be a significant move for both the player and the franchise. Rahul is one of the most talented batsmen in the IPL, and his addition to RCB's already formidable lineup would make them a formidable force.However, it remains to be seen whether Rahul will actually leave LSG. He has been a key figure in the franchise's success, and it is unclear whether he would be willing to give up his captaincy and move to another team.

KL Rahul's Experience Trumps Sarfaraz Khan's Form for India's No. 5 SpotFormer Indian cricketer Kris Srikkanth has advocated for KL Rahul to retain his position as India's No. 5 batsman in the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh, despite Sarfaraz Khan's impressive performances earlier this year.Rahul missed the majority of the England Test series due to injury, allowing Sarfaraz to step in and score 200 runs at an average of 50. However, Srikkanth believes Rahul's experience and overseas success make him the better choice for the No. 5 spot."Honestly, I feel bad for Sarfaraz Khan," Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel. "But this happens, at times, in Test cricket. You would have been playing well, but when a big player returns, you will have to lose your place."Srikkanth also highlighted the upcoming Australia series, where Rahul's experience in overseas conditions will be crucial. "At the back of the mind, they are also keeping the Australia series. New Zealand are also coming. KL Rahul has performed well overseas, in Australia he has done well," he added.Rahul's recent scores of 37 and 57 in the Duleep Trophy further strengthen his case for selection. Meanwhile, India's top four are set with Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and Virat Kohli, while Rishabh Pant is expected to bat at No. 6 as the wicketkeeper.Sarfaraz's recent Duleep Trophy performance, where he scored 9 and 46, poses a tough decision for the selectors ahead of the Bangladesh series. However, Srikkanth's comments suggest that Rahul is the frontrunner for the No. 5 spot.The Indian team aims to present their strongest team in this series and future tours against New Zealand and Australia. Rahul's experience and overseas success make him a valuable asset to the team, and he is likely to retain his place in the batting order for the first Test against Bangladesh.

KL Rahul's Poor Form Raises Concerns Ahead of Bangladesh Test SeriesAs the race for places in the Indian Test cricket team intensifies ahead of the upcoming two-match series against Bangladesh, star batter KL Rahul's recent form has become a cause for concern. Playing for the Shubman Gill-led India A in the Duleep Trophy, Rahul's clumsy knock of 37 off 111 balls against India B has raised eyebrows among fans and experts alike.Rahul's dismissal by India B spinner Washington Sundar on Day 3 of the match has further fueled the debate about his current form. The batter's slow and laborious innings has drawn criticism on social media, with fans questioning his ability to perform at the highest level.The squad for the Bangladesh Test series is expected to be announced after the first round of matches in the Duleep Trophy. However, Rahul's underwhelming performance has put his place in the team in jeopardy.Social media has been abuzz with reactions to Rahul's poor form, with many fans expressing their disappointment and frustration. Some have even suggested that he should be dropped from the Test team."NO Intent NO runs, on a Pitch which has eased out for batting!! All bows Legend KL RAHUL," tweeted one fan.Another fan commented, "If you want someone to discourage themselves from watching cricket, tell them to watch KL Rahul batting. I bet you will go in depression."Rahul's struggles have also been noticed by former cricketers. Manoj Tiwari, a former India batsman, tweeted, "This man has lost his confidence that he can make runs also."Despite being the top-scorer for India A in their first innings, Rahul's slow and unconvincing knock has left a bitter taste in the mouths of fans and selectors alike. With the Bangladesh Test series just around the corner, Rahul will need to find his form quickly if he wants to retain his place in the Indian team.