KL Rahul’s numbers in Test cricket are not acceptable, feels Dinesh Karthik

It has been a difficult year across all formats for Indian vice-captain KL Rahul, who despite being promoted as captain multiple times in Rohit Sharma’s absence, was not in good touch with the bat. In Test cricket, he scored just 137 runs at an average under 20 in 2022, his worst return in the longest format since making his debut.

A host of former cricketers have been disappointed with the Indian batter’s form recently, who scored just one half-century in the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 as well.

Dinesh Karthik, who was with the player in the T20 World Cup in Australia, suggested that his numbers as an opener are not acceptable, especially with a host of great talents in domestic cricket knocking the door down. KL Rahul currently has played 45 Test matches, scoring 2,604 runs at an average of 34.26.

“I would give KL those couple of Test matches (against Bangladesh), but if things don’t go KL Rahul’s way… The one thing that does go against him is the fact that he has played over 40 Tests and his average is just mid-30s. That is not acceptable for an opener. That is one of the lowest among Indian players for sure, who have played 35 Test matches,” he said.

India are looking to seal their place in the World Test Championship final for the second time in a row, but they face a still competition from South Africa who are breathing right down their neck. India’s next assignment in Test cricket will be the Border Gavaskar Trophy, which begins on February 3.

Dinesh Karthik feels that Shubman Gill starting to do well in Test cricket will definitely take over Rahul in the pecking order if the batter doesn’t begin accumulating runs. Shubman Gill had a breakthrough year in Test cricket last year after his heroics in Australia and recently scored his first century in the format against Bangladesh.

For the upcoming limited overs series against Sri Lanka and New Zealand, it is being speculated that Rahul will not be taking part. However, it might not be because of his performance, it will be because of his marriage with Bollywood actress Athiya Shetty, who are rumoured to tie the knot in the early weeks of January.