On 19 February 2023, team India registered another thumping victory over the Aussies in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy. India won the second Test in Delhi by six wickets and thus, they managed a 2-0 lead in the series. But, fans were not happy with KL Rahul as he failed again with the bat.
In the first innings, Rahul scored 17 runs while managing one run in the second innings. Before this match, fans were hoping to see him out of the playing XI as Rahul has been failing in the red ball format of the game. Before the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, former cricketers like Harbhajan Singh and Kapil Dev also said that KL Rahul should be out of the playing XI for a better combination of team India.
“He has potential and we are backing him." - Rohit Sharma on KL Rahul
In the Nagpur Test, he scored only 20 runs off 71 balls. But, ahead of this second Test, a senior Board official said that any decision regarding him will be taken only after the Delhi Test. While speaking exclusively to InsideSport, the official said: “Rahul has the captain and coach’s trust. Everyone goes through bad run. Virat had an extended poor run of form. But he bounced back. We just need to be patient with Rahul too. He is a classy player and he will surely bounce back. Yes, he can be dropped as there is nothing called vice-captain’s immunity. But it’s the team management’s call. Any discussion will be after Delhi Test.”
But, KL Rahul again failed to impress his fans with his performance with the bat. But, after the match, skipper Rohit Sharma said that they will back Rahul despite such an off form. He also insisted that it is tough for any batter to score runs on such tough pitches. He said: “Of late there has been lot of talk about his (KL Rahul) batting. For us as the management, we look at the potential of any individual, not just KL, and players with potential will get extended run. Batting at Lord’s on a damp wicket, it was one of the best hundreds I have seen, Centurion also, so he has potential and we are backing him." After hearing such a statement, fans went crazy and slammed Rohit Sharma on the social media platform.
Here are some tweets slamming Rohit Sharma for his comments on KL Rahul after the Delhi Test:
To usne Aus me Achi pitches me konse Jhande gade ha
— Aarav Mavi (@AaravMavi14) February 19, 2023
Kash Rohit ko suruwat ki carrier mein itna backing Mila hota toh
— SIDDHARTH NAIK (@SIDDHAR22530598) February 19, 2023
Gauti :"Tension mat le, Rohit- Dravid se baat kar Li hai. Agli match mai Kam Hagiyo bas. " (Sources - Zewz Newz)
— DJOKER♠️ (@AniketN_79) February 19, 2023
🙂 pic.twitter.com/Ll6RAVBmAB
Vada pav should understand that kl rahul didn't scored even in Bangladesh
— Fury🇮🇳 (@ms14568399) February 19, 2023
Wtf!! 😂 Rohit Sharma blaming the pitches cause B-KL Rahul couldn't score runs.
— Thara Bhai Joginder (@Joginder___) February 19, 2023
— Purva Kadam (@Kohlifitoor) February 19, 2023
Indirectly saying KLol is flat track bully 🤣
— Aryan_45 🇮🇳 (@Aryan4593) February 19, 2023
Meanwhile KL Rahul to Sharma, Coach and Selectors 😍 pic.twitter.com/U1mQoXSc38
— ً (@SarcasticCowboy) February 19, 2023
Hadh ho gayi. Shubhman Gill ne kaunse apke aam chura liye ?
— PK (@pankajkakawat) February 19, 2023
2 min main out 🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/ccHjLCxm7R
— Virat Kohli Fan Club (@vkfanclub007) February 19, 2023
Pagal ho kya... Toh ap logo ne kaise runs banaye... Axar kohli ne kaise banaye... Yeh toh wohi baat ho gayi.. Nach na jane angan tera..
— sassy (@sas_dut) February 19, 2023