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Team India found themselves in a challenging situation on Day 2 of the first Test against New Zealand at Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. The opening day was washed out due to rain, but play finally began on the second day, with India opting to bat first despite overcast conditions. The decision backfired as New Zealand’s pacers dismantled the Indian top order, leaving the hosts reeling.
Top order collapse: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Sarfaraz Khan dismissed cheaply
The Indian innings got off to a shaky start when skipper Rohit Sharma was dismissed for just 2 runs. Following him, both Virat Kohli and Sarfaraz Khan registered ducks, compounding India’s woes. The top-order collapse put immense pressure on the middle order, as India struggled to find stability.
KL Rahul fails to deliver on home ground
As India tried to recover, local boy KL Rahul came to the crease, hoping to stabilize the innings alongside the likes of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant. Given that Chinnaswamy is his home ground, fans had high expectations for Rahul. However, he failed to deliver, playing six deliveries without scoring before being dismissed by New Zealand pacer William O’Rourke.
During the 23rd over, with leg slip and short leg in place, O’Rourke bowled a slightly fuller delivery down the leg side. Rahul, desperate to get off the mark, played a tentative glance, only to edge it to the keeper, resulting in his dismissal for a 6-ball duck. The wicket added to India’s misery, leaving fans disappointed and frustrated.
Also WATCH – IND vs NZ: Tim Southee dismisses Rohit Sharma with a peach of a delivery on Day 2 of the first Test
Frustrated fans take to social media to vent against Rahul
The poor performance by Rahul, especially on his home ground, did not sit well with fans. Many took to X to express their disappointment and anger, trolling the Indian batter for failing to step up when the team needed him the most. The wave of criticism highlighted the fans’ growing frustration over Rahul’s inconsistent form.
Here is how fans reacted:
No eꦉggs in mid-day meal. So they distributed it among Indian batters.
Kohli 0 (9)
Sarfaraz 0 (3)
KL Rahul 0 (6)
Jadeja 0 (6)— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer)
Rohit
Kohli
Sarfaraz
Jaiswal
KL Rahul— Raja Babu (@GaurangBhardwa1)
KL Rahul dismissed for a 6 ball duck.
– INDIA 33/5. 🤯
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra)
Isse toh accha hai, Baarish hi karwa lo Bhagwan 🙏🎃🏼
After Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul also dismiss
Now all eyes are on Rishabh Pant— Dr Artistic Soul (@dr_artisticsoul)
The coach who taught cricket to KL Rahul in his childhood shouldn't go unpunished.
— Karan (@karannpatelll)
KL Rahul:
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS)
KL Rahul after playing a bad shot
— Jason (@jdnats)
Few players might disappoint on🅰 some days but kl Rahul disappoints everyday.
— Dhakkan Rice (@Sahil_Adhikaari)
I think Indian cricket team management should take tough calls🀅 like Pa♋kistan cricket board and drop Virat Kohli and KL Rahul.
— ` (@FourOverthrows)
꧃"Kl Rahul" is most useless batsman ever produced by Team India , he never hung in the pitch when Team mostly needed , he always got out cheaply
— Anil Kashyap (@cidqwert)
How is given so many chances with series by series NO Performance.
Many other🌳s are benched and their important years are being wa🍌sted.Aaisa Kaunsa Reference hai, Kiski KRUPA hai ?
— Malav G Desai (@malav_g)
