India's 12-year unbeaten run at home is on the brink of ending after a disappointing eight-wicket defeat to New Zealand in the first Test at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. This loss marked India's second home Test defeat in 2024, raising concerns about the team's performance.
One player who may face scrutiny is star batter KL Rahul. His poor form, including a duck in the first innings and a low score in the second, has raised questions about his place in the team. With Shubman Gill likely to return for the next Test, Rahul's position in the playing XI could be under threat.
India's strong second-innings performance, led by Sarfaraz Khan's century, has created a selection dilemma for the team management. As the team prepares for the upcoming matches, tough decisions will need to be made to ensure India's continued success.
As India prepares for the second Test against New Zealand in Pune, discussions about the team's playing XI are heating up. Amidst these discussions, fans noticed a peculiar gesture from KL Rahul after the conclusion of the Bengaluru Test. The 32-year-old was seen touching the pitch and seemingly seeking its blessings, sparking curiosity among cricket enthusiasts.
KL Rahul's 'pitch-touch' gesture sparks retirement rumours
Rahul's heartfelt gesture left fans guessing about his Test future.
This is how the netizens reacted to India's star batter's 'pitch touch' gesture
KL Rahul's dismal outing in Tests
Rahul has showcased his exceptional batting prowess in overseas Test matches, with standout performances like his century at Lord's and twin centuries in Centurion. However, his overall Test record is somewhat underwhelming, with 2891 runs in 53 Tests at an average of 33.88 and only eight centuries.
Rahul has primarily opened the batting throughout his career. However, after losing his place to Shubman Gill and later Yashasvi Jaiswal, he was included in the team as a wicket-keeper batter for the South Africa tour last year. Subsequently, he was promoted to the middle order for the first Test against England before an injury sidelined him for the remainder of the series. Upon India's return to Test cricket after a six-month hiatus, Rahul retained his place in the team for the home series against Bangladesh.
