KL Rahul Struggles Continue as India A Falters Against Australia A
KL Rahul found himself at the center of another challenging episode in his career during the India A vs Australia four-day match in Melbourne. His dismissal against Corey Rocchiccioli exemplified his current form struggles. Rahul, a seasoned right-hander known for his flair, faced a tough outing, as a rain-affected second day saw him falling victim to a surprising brain fade. After enduring testing spells from pacers Scott Boland, Beau Webster, and Nathan McAndrew, he misjudged Rocchiccioli’s innocuous delivery. Opting not to play a shot, the ball deflected off his pads onto the stumps, leaving him bowled and visibly dejected. His 10-run effort, achieved off 44 balls, reflected a cautious but ineffective approach.
Rahul’s aim to secure a place at the top of India’s batting lineup, especially if skipper Rohit Sharma is unavailable for the opening Test against Australia in Perth, has been met with challenges. With just 14 runs across two innings in this crucial warm-up fixture, concerns about his form have heightened. This comes at a time when every opportunity counts for the former vice-captain, who hasn’t been a consistent part of the team since early 2023. The manner of his recent dismissals, including being caught down the leg side multiple times in previous outings, further underscores a worrying trend in his performances.
The decision to send Rahul and wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel to Australia early, ahead of the main Test squad, was intended to provide valuable match practice. While Jurel capitalized on the opportunity, Rahul struggled. His dismissal added to India’s batting woes, especially since the team’s top-order faltered again during the second innings of the match.
India A, bowled out for a modest 161 runs on the opening day, saw Australia A respond with 223. While this score wasn’t overwhelming, it offered a critical first-innings lead of 62 runs. The Indian top-order then faced another collapse in the second innings, leaving them in a precarious position at 56/5. Abhimanyu Easwaran, an alternative opening option for the upcoming Test series, also failed to impress, managing only a duck and a 17-run innings across two attempts. This exacerbated concerns about India’s batting depth and reliability, particularly against high-quality bowling from the Australian side.
Devdutt Padikkal also faced an early exit, compounding India’s problems. Amid the wreckage, Dhruv Jurel and Nitish Kumar Reddy offered some stability. Their unbroken stand ensured India A did not suffer further damage before stumps, with Jurel contributing a composed 19 runs while Reddy held on with a gritty nine.
Earlier, India A’s pace unit showcased determination, led by Prasidh Krishna, who claimed four wickets, and Mukesh Kumar, who added three to his tally. Their efforts kept Australia A’s batting in check, with Marcus Harris standing out for the hosts. Harris’ 74-run knock, combined with lower-order resistance from Rocchiccioli, who contributed a quick-fire 35, proved vital. Australia A’s total was achieved in just over 62 overs.
When India A batted again, they faced disciplined bowling from Nathan McAndrew and Beau Webster. Easwaran’s dismissal at gully, due to a mistimed shot off McAndrew, typified the batting struggles, while Padikkal also departed early. Webster and McAndrew continued their incisive bowling spells, troubling the Indian lineup. However, Jurel and Reddy displayed resolve, stemming the flow of wickets late in the day.
KL Rahul’s performance, characterized by lapses in concentration and technical vulnerability, raises critical questions about his readiness for the upcoming series against Australia. His ongoing struggles, contrasted with promising displays from other players, have made his path to redemption challenging. The Indian team’s preparations have been marked by mixed results, emphasizing the need for consistent top-order contributions as they gear up for a high-stakes Border-Gavaskar Trophy.