INDvSA T20 World Cup: Netizens slammed KL Rahul for consistent failures

Perth: Team India opening batter KL Rahul with his worst form for the third consecutive match in the T20 World Cup 2022, Rahul was dismissed for a single-digit score, having scored 4 and 9 in the last two matches. After two poor outings against Pakistan and Netherlands, expectations were huge from Rahul to put an end to his barren patch but all he could deliver was a 9-run knock in the match against the Proteas. 

KL Rahul was dismissed for just 9 runs in the T20 World Cup 2022 match against South Africa. In the 3 matches so far, Rahul has scored 4, 9 and 9 runs.

Interestingly KL Rahul's poor numbers against top teams in T20I multinational games have been criticized on by netizens, Rahul averages 10.75 against top teams in such major events. Whereas his numbers against weaker teams are far superior.

Thus netizens lashed out at the batter for being a minnow basher.

The Indian batter has been facing criticism for his low scores from the cricket fraternity and against South Africa in Perth, Rahul failed to find feet at any stage of the innings. The batter did hit a six in the third over, but failed to middle the delivery more often than not before handing a simple catch at first slip off Lungi Ngidi.

Another key aspect to the Indian opening slot is the fact KL Rahul's T20I numbers on Australian soil is poor. KL averages 16.25 on Australian soil in the shorter format with only a single 50+ score which came in a bilateral game.

Netizens slammed the Indian management for inclusion of KL in the XI even after consistent failures.

Amid the continued poor efforts of Indian top-order against quality bowling line-up (India were 31/4 against Pakistan last Sunday), Rahul’s horrendous outings have been prime concern as he misfired against Netherlands as well.

However Rahul's form remained a concern as his tournament aggregate after three matches stand at 22 runs while facing 35 balls.

The question arises, Is KL Rahul even a vice captaincy material? Shouldn't the BCCI consider someone like a Shreyas Iyer or Suryakumar Yadav as all format vice captain instead of a player who cannot have impact on the game with his performance?

Team India will play Bangladesh in the next fixture on Wednesday.