Team India sealed a historic 5-0 whitewash against New Zealand in the recent T20 series, and supporters are overwhelmed by the sheer brilliance of KL Rahul’s consistency on the pitch. The squad’s newfound wicket keeper has been an absolute stunner with the bat, scoring a total of 224 runs including two half centuries, highest in a bilateral T20 international series. Surprisingly in a shocking revelation, the run machine has been dropped out from the upcoming Test series against the Kiwis, and fans are fuming over social media.
While India’s superstar Test opener Rohit Sharma is out for a calf injury suffered in the fifth T20 match, the country’s cricketing fandom was sure to see Rahul getting a call up for the red ball squad, after missing out both the South Africa and Bangladesh series back in 2019.
However, the official Twitter handle of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) this morning announced that Mayank Agarwal was chosen to replace the injured Sharma for the NZ tests. The statement read: “NEWS: Rohit Sharma has been ruled out of the upcoming ODI and the Test series against New Zealand. Mayank Agarwal has been named as his replacement in the ODI squad. #NZvIND #TeamIndia”
NEWS : Rohit Sharma has been ruled out of the upcoming ODI and the Test series against New Zealand.
Mayank Agarwal has been named as his replacement in the ODI squad. #NZvIND #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/AUMeCSNfWQ
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 4, 2020
Replying to the original post, BCCI also listed the complete Test squad this morning, and the Rahul’s name was not included.
Check out the enlisted squad here-
India’s Test squad: Virat (Capt), Mayank, Prithvi Shaw, Shubman, Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane (vc), Hanuma Vihari, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Rishabh Pant (wk), R. Ashwin, R. Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Umesh Yadav, Mohd. Shami, Navdeep Saini, Ishant Sharma (subject to fitness clearance).
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 4, 2020
KL Rahul’s name was not included, and the keepers that were chosen for the Test series are Wriddhiman Saha and Rishabh Pant, the latter who’s injury back in the Australia ODI series had unearthed Rahul’s talent with the gloves.
This was not what the fans expected, and the stormed over Twitter to express their dismay on BCCI’s decision. Here are some of the reactions-
Very disappointed with this squad. Why KL Rahul is not in this Squad. All three Openers are inexperienced for Foreign Tour(NZ). In Absence of Rohit, KL Should be in this Squad.Also Bcoz of his current Form. Agree? Like for Agree And Retweet for Disagree.
— Kushal Kumar (@sahkushalkr) February 4, 2020
KL should be in the squad on his current form.
— Jagdish Khaire (@Jagdish_Khaire7) February 4, 2020
How in the world has KL Rahul not been selected. Man’s in red hot form and is probably our greatest batting weapon across all three formats after VK and Rohit.
— Bhavik Bhoir (@bhavik_08) February 4, 2020
You r going without experience at top in test it could be disaster for india @klrahul11
— Sunil Bhadu (@sunilbhadu1540) February 4, 2020
Interesting…… No KL Rahul in tests. Is Virat Dictatorship over ?
— Rahul Dhere (@RahulDhere3) February 4, 2020
And no klrahul? One of indias top 3 batsman.. 😑
— Rajesh Acharya (@ujirerajesh) February 4, 2020
Kl rahul missing 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭Why reason he is very good batsman and keeping also
— Dinesh Vasugi (@VasugiDinesh) February 4, 2020
Why not KL Rahul in the test squad ? KL Rahul is in very good form . KL Rahul should be in the test squad as a reserve opener batsman due to his current form
— Mayank Kumar (@MayankK78747162) February 4, 2020
You got to be kidding me !!
Who are these selectors ,you want to make another #RohitSharma out of @klrahul11
Give him a test recall when he is 32
When he is in form he is better than anyone ,he is in form right now, you don’t remember ( India vs aus) test series !!— Debashish Biswal (@debiswal) February 4, 2020
@SGanguly99 once again BCCI proved that team selection is under tremendous pressure of Mumbai based lobbyists.we thought in dada era it is not possible but they are still influencing team selection.atleast hope they clarify why Rahul is not in team..
— nivas (@srmarasu84) February 4, 2020
Where is K L Rahul @klrahul11 ? He has been performing consistently with whatever little opportunities he gets, performing several roles in every match yet he didn’t get selected. I’m sure that @imVkohli wanted him in the squad. This dents the confidence in players. Unbelievable.
— SOUMYA BRATA MAJUMDER (@MajumderBrata) February 4, 2020
It is very unfair decision @klrahul11 must be given chance,psychologically he could be demotivated as your decision with current level of form. In the initial he was a good test player too (8th rank), So please reconsider your decision.@SGanguly99 @imVkohli .
— Isham (@isham5792) February 4, 2020
No KL Rahul in absence of Rohit🙁 Almost 12 months ago, we used to say Why K.L Rahul, now everybody will comment – Why not KL Rahul in the team. What a turnaround a player can do..He is in top form at the moment..
— Anurag Gupta (@agupta30481) February 4, 2020
There is a sure place for K.L.Rahul
You have to give him chance for better future of Indian team.
He is now phenomenal batsman, have to be in test team.
Please rethink and take him …. I humble request.— chandan das (@chandurock143) February 4, 2020
Australia unearthed a talent like Mathew Hayden afer his performance in ODI… drafted him in Test Matches… He became a legend.. Our BCCI. Bunch of jokers can’t draft KL RAHUL who is in the form of his life 🙄 jokers 🤣
— Kumar786 (@Kumar78611) February 4, 2020
Man of the series and highest run getter and possibly the most dynamic batsman not in the team #NZvsIND? That too with both @ImRo45 n @SDhawan25 injured. What are the new selectors smoking these days? @SGanguly99 @imVkohli what else @klrahul11 needs to do? Guess bowl a few
— Anurup Chatterjee (@kittuv1) February 4, 2020
Rahul, who has earned 36 Test caps since his debut for the Men in Blue in 2014 against the Aussies, made his last red ball format appearance in the West Indies series last year.
Team India’s Test series against Black Caps is kicking off on 21st February at the Basin Reserve cricket ground.
Also read-
Nayan Mongia says KL Rahul is a better wicketkeeper than this Indian legend!
Hardik Pandya ruled out of Australia series, Ravindra Jadeja named replacement
