Windies vs India: Fans slam Virat Kohli for persisting with KL Rahul ahead of Rohit Sharma

KL Rahul may have done reasonably well in the limited-overs format for India, but his Test form remains jittery. The Karnataka batsman hasn’t been able to show consistency in the longer format and his position in the team has been questioned a number of times. His last knock of substance came almost a year ago against England at the Kennington Oval in London.

In that game, he notched 149 in the fourth innings, but couldn’t save his team from a defeat. Rishabh Pant also scored his maiden international century in the very match. The right-hander played three Tests in Australia and he couldn’t get going. Even in the ongoing Test series versus the Windies, he hasn’t quite been able to show his true class and calibre in red-ball cricket.

He got a couple of starts in the first Test at North Sound, Antigua, having scored 44 and 38 respectively. Rahul would’ve been disappointed after not being able to convert any of them. It was off-spinner Roston Chase, who accounted for his wicket in both the innings. In the first innings of the second Test at the Sabina Park, Jamaica, Rahul could only manage a mere 13 runs.

Twitter wants Rohit Sharma in the eleven

After toiling hard for 26 balls, KL Rahul edged one to the slip cordon off speedster Jason Holder. Rahkeem Cornwall, who became the heaviest international cricketer, made no mistake and took a rather simple catch. In the meantime, the supporters want Rohit Sharma to play instead of KL Rahul. Rohit was in incredible form in the 2019 World Cup, having racked up as many as five tons.

But he hasn’t been a regular feature in the Test team. After making his debut back in 2013 against the Windies at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, the Mumbai batter has only played 27 games in the format. Even as his record at home has been fantastic, it’s his overseas numbers that aren’t all that great.

Rohit’s last Test was versus Australia at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground. The fans accused Virat Kohli, the Indian skipper, for being biased. Twitterati didn’t miss out on slamming Rahul for the lacklustre shows on a regular basis.

Here is how Twitter reacted:

KL Rahul is wasting opportunities. Very disappointing performance of KL. VK is giving too much opportunities to KL Rahul.

— Tech Lover (@akgarg2000) August 30, 2019

Another flop show from kl rahul whi is out of form and he is getting continuous chances and the man who is in form rohit sharma is not getting any chances …what is your view point on this?@vikrantgupta73

— Mayank Goenka (@MayankGoenka11) August 30, 2019

#KLRahul‘s last 25 test inn
10,4,0,16,54,4,13,8,10,23,36,19,0,37,149,0,4,33*,2,44,2,0,9,44,38 -> 559Runs(Avg-23.59)
Had #RohitSharma been given consistent chances like KL,he would’ve cemented his place nd could be an asset in test cricket too.Rohit’s never got a…#INDvsWI (1/3)

— Manthan (@Manthansinh_) August 30, 2019

Can anyone explain why KL Rahul is still in the team and not Rohit Sharma? #INDvsWI #BCCI #asksportstak #ICC @BCCI @ICC @RaviShastriOfc

— Wickets11 (@Wickets111) August 30, 2019

bc 2 saal se yahi sunn rahe hain – KL Rahul is the first wicket to fall…..vo bhi saste mei…. Koi nayi baat nhi h ! https://t.co/w9DUOyUm1H

— Singghh (@Singh_iz_Kingh) August 30, 2019

@imVkohli sir ek baar mauka to dijiye ???????? rohit sir ko aajtk continue 3 test nhi khilaye ???????? or kl rahul ko to pucho hi mt ???????? kya bhai rohit se problems h kya aapko

— Harish Gupta (@HrharryI) August 30, 2019

I wonder how many KL Rahul failures can Kohli tolerate before he gives one chance to Rohit. Against an average bowling attack he has failed to cross even 50 runs in three innings.

— Ninad (@Ninad_chaubal) August 30, 2019

Averaging Just 35 in Test Cricket, But For Selectors, He is A Bradman.
Rohit Sharma Average 40 in Test Cricket & Also has An Average Of 70 in Last Two Years in Test Cricket

KL Rahul – one of the most overrated batsman in test cricket !#INDvWI @GadhviLaxman pic.twitter.com/wo92uWLag3

— Prashant (@prashant_7_) August 30, 2019

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