In a candid assessment of KL Rahul‘s performance during the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy, former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar shared insights that many fans may find all too familiar. In his view, KL Rahul’s display was largely in line with expectations, as he showcased his promise in the early stages of the series but faltered as it progressed.
Currently, KL Rahul’s Test career spans 58 matches, during which he has scored 3,257 runs at an average of 33.57, including eight centuries and 17 half-centuries. While KL Rahul’s series may have been marred by inconsistency, his opening partner Yashasvi Jaiswal emerged as a significant positive for the Indian side, drawing praise from Manjrekar. Reflecting on Jaiswal’s impressive outings, he termed it a remarkable boon for Team India.
KL Rahul’s overall numbers in Tests and his current performance in BGT 2024-25
On November 17, KL Rahul resumed training after injuring his elbow. The injury happened during a match simulation when he failed to connect his bat with a rising delivery from Prasidh Krishna. However, despite the setback, Rahul was spotted practicing in the nets. Rahul scored 0 and 12 versus New Zealand (1st Test) before being dropped. Versus Australia A, he managed 4 and 10.
Rahul has had mixed results in SENA nations (South Africa, England, New Zealand and Australia). As per ESPNCricinfo, the versatile batter has amassed 1,170 runs from 21 matches (40 innings) at an average of 29.25.However, he has hit 5 tons and two fifties. His strike rate reads 47.91.Versus pacers in SENA, KL Rahul owns 991 runs, being dismissed 37 times from 40 innings.
On Australian soil, KL Rahul has racked up 187 runs from five matches (9 innings) at just 20.77. He has managed to hit one hundred (110). His strike rate is 44.84 Down Under. He has faced 417 deliveries. In his career, KL Rahul has piled up 2,981 runs at an average of 33.87 from 53 matches (91 innings).
In his career, KL Rahul has piled up 2,981 runs at an average of 33.87 from 53 matches (91 innings).In addition to 8 hundreds, he has clobbered 15 fifties. His strike rate is 53.07. Meanwhile, he owns 618 runs versus Australia from 11 matches (19 innings) at 34.33.In addition to a ton, he has 6 fifties under his belt.
Across 10 innings in the BGT 2024-25, KL Rahul amassed 276 runs at an average of 30.66, managing to secure two fifties. Notably, he recorded a sturdy 77 in the second innings of the Perth Test and an 84 in Brisbane’s first innings, yet ended the series with three innings that fell well short of the mark.
Currently, KL Rahul’s Test career spans 58 matches, during which he has scored 3,257 runs at an average of 33.57, including eight centuries and 17 half-centuries. During a segment on ESPNCricinfo, Manjrekar expressed his disappointment, noting a worrying trend in Rahul’s form where he starts strongly but fails to maintain that momentum.
Sanjay Manjrekar’s candid take on another inconsistent series for Indian batter KL Rahul in BGT 2024-25
Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar reckons that KL Rahul’s performance in the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy was on rather expected lines. He said the right-hander looked India’s most compact batter in the first half of the series but added that his inability to perform consistently was on show again in the latter half.
In 10 innings in BGT 2024-25, KL Rahul scored 276 runs at an average of 30.66, with two fifties to his name. The 32-year-old scored a resolute 77 in the second innings of the Perth Test. He hit 84 in the first innings in Brisbane but ended the series with four failures.
During a discussion on ESPNCricinfo, Manjrekar said Rahul seems to have made it a habit of performing in a particular manner, wherein he starts well and then completely tapers off. The former India batter commented:
“I think now we know what KL Rahul is about. We were talking about him being India’s best batter at the start of the series. He looked so compact, then got that 80 in Brisbane as well. We thought this might just change his career in the right direction. Then you saw the failures again.”
Despite Rahul having yet another mixed series with the willow, Manjrekar believes the Karnataka batter will be retained for the Test series in England. According to the 59-year-old, India do not have too many options when it comes to batting at the top of the order. He stated:
“I don’t see him being left out for England considering that India still are looking for an opener. They don’t want to go to [Abhimanyu] Easwaran and KL Rahul, the last time he was there, played well. So, I see that opening combination continuing, unless Rohit Sharma comes in and throws spanner in the works.”
KL Rahul has now featured in 58 Test matches and has scored 3,257 runs at an average of 33.57, with eight hundreds and 17 fifties to his credit.