Sanjay Manjrekar has shared a critical assessment regarding KL Rahul's prospects in India's Test cricket setup.
Rahul has faced significant scrutiny for some time now. Three years ago, he was viewed as a potential captain for India across all formats, but he has since been dropped from the T20I squad and now faces pressure to retain his position in both the ODI and Test teams.
Despite participating in 51 Test matches, Rahul has struggled to secure a permanent spot on the team. In these games, he has accumulated 2,901 runs, averaging 34.12. While he has had a few noteworthy performances, these moments of success have been largely overshadowed by inconsistency.
In a discussion on ESPN Cricinfo, Manjrekar expressed concerns about Rahul’s future in Test cricket. He noted that if Rahul continues to play as he has in his career so far, a replacement could be on the horizon. "KL Rahul is someone I'll be watching closely. It’s vital to see whether he can rediscover that top form and maintain his confidence, playing freely as he did in the second innings of the last Test. If he maintains the level of performance we’ve seen in his first 50 Test matches, many batsmen are waiting in the wings, especially in India, ready to take his place," Manjrekar stated.
When asked if a player like Sarfaraz Khan could step in for Rahul, Manjrekar remarked, "I'm certain there are members of the team management or selection committee who hold KL Rahul in high esteem. He has returned to the playing XI despite his recent performances. The main concern for Rahul is his Test match tally and average of 34. Ideally, the focus should be on his performance in these next two innings, particularly in Kanpur. If his batting resembles the first innings in the last Test and continues to display uncertainty, then questions about his long-term role in the lineup will inevitably arise."
In the first Test, Rahul batted at number six, scoring 16 runs off 52 balls in the first innings and finishing unbeaten with 22 runs off 19 balls in the second.