KL Rahul fell for 3 in the first innings of the tour game vs Cricket Australia XI
The Indian cricket team have been dealt a major blow as their young prodigy, Prithvi Shaw, has been ruled out of the 1st Test against Australia in Adelaide. The 19-year old performed brilliantly with the bat in the first innings of the practice match against Cricket Australia XI with a breezy half century. The limelight was once again on the youngster, while KL Rahul failed to make an impact, again.
But, Shaw suffered an ankle injury during the third day of the practice match as he fell awkwardly while attempting to take a catch near the boundary rope at deep mid-wicket at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed that Shaw has been ruled out of the 1st Test in Adelaide, thus paving way for Rahul and Murali Vijay as the first choice openers.
Lokesh Rahul's poor form in all formats is quite upsetting, given the talent the 26-year old possesses, he should be delivering after a brilliant knock at the Oval against England, However, the match was a dead rubber.
Nevertheless, Rahul should be making most of his opportunities which have been handed on a platter. While Murali Vijay and Rohit Sharma get the blunt treatment, Rahul's inconsistent performances have left former cricketers and fans infuriated.
Every player has a bad day, for Vijay, it was the three Tests he played in England, for Rahul, its now been a few months.
In the first Test against West Indies, Rahul was sent back immediately for a duck in the first innings. He didn't get to the second as three batsman notched up their centuries, two scored their fifties as India declared at a mammoth total of 649/9. They went to win by a record margin of an innings and 272 runs - their highest Test win ever.
The 19-year old Shaw scored his maiden century on his debut, while Rahul bagged a golden duck. Makes people think, but not the team management. Pujara hit a gritty 86. 20-year old Rishabh Pant smashed 92 runs before being dismissed. Even Ravindra Jadeja went on to score his maiden Test hundred.
Prithvi scored 237 runs in the two matches he played against Windies. His technique and aggressive batting has given the Indian team a player who is already scripting history by getting his name on the scoresheet. Besides being groomed by Rahul Dravid, Shaw has been an integral part of India A and has performed brilliantly in first-class cricket and led India to win the U-19 World Cup in Australia earlier this year.
Rahul does have a ton in Australia and it is expected of him to pull up his socks and start performing as there are plenty of hungry players to prove their worth.
After Rahul gave away his wicket cheaply in the practice match, assistant coach Sanjay Bangar feels he has been finding 'new ways to get out'.
In the innings, five batsmen went on to score half centuries - Shaw, Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane and Hanuma Vihari.
"He (Rahul) has been looking in good shape, including today. It is just that he is finding new ways to get out. Even today, the ball was quite afar when he played it away from his body and lost his wicket. But what we are reading he is playing the ball well and he is one hit away (from form)," Bangar said after the day's play.
While players like Mayank Agarwal and Karun Nayar patiently wait for their call-up, Rahul has been throwing away his chances.
How long will the selector's persistence with Rahul continue? The tour should be a now or never moment for the 'talented' KL Rahul.
The 1st Test will be played at the Adelaide Oval, commencing from December 6.
