KL Rahul’s dismissal on Day 2 of the 2nd Unofficial Test between Australia A and India A was a frustrating and unsettling moment for both fans and teammates.
Chasing a lead of 62, Rahul walked out to bat alongside Abhimanyu Easwaran for India A’s second innings but could only manage 10 runs before falling to Corey Rocchiccioli in a baffling brain fade.
Rocchiccioli bowled a length delivery that Rahul misjudged, leaving it to go down the leg side. However, to his shock, the ball snuck through his legs and hit the stumps, dismissing him in a manner that left everyone stunned.
It was a comical moment that stood out as one of the more bizarre dismissals of the match. Rahul’s struggle with the bat continued, with just 10 runs in the second innings after a mere 4 runs in the first innings, adding up to only 14 runs for the match.
His ongoing slump is becoming a major concern, especially with the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, where a 4-0 series win would secure India’s spot in the World Test Championship final.
Rahul had been the logical choice to open, particularly with Rohit Sharma likely absent for the opening Test in Perth on November 22.
"Don't know what he was thinking!"
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 8, 2024
Oops… that's an astonishing leave by KL Rahul 😱 #AUSAvINDA pic.twitter.com/e4uDPH1dzz
However, his lack of form has put his selection in doubt. Having been dropped for the second and third Tests against New Zealand, Rahul now faces a critical opportunity in Melbourne to secure his place in the team. Persistent inconsistency, though, could see him slip further down the pecking order.