India’s senior batsman KL Rahul is facing pressure to regain his run-scoring form ahead of a demanding schedule of nine Tests in four months. The team is backing him to rediscover his touch, starting with the ongoing Test against Bangladesh in Kanpur.
Rahul’s return to the side after an injury layoff has been underwhelming, with scores of 16 and 22 not out in the first Test. His last century came in December 2023, a drought that has lasted almost three years.
Assistant coach Abhishek Nayar expressed confidence in Rahul’s ability to turn things around. “KL is someone who understands his game very well,” Nayar said. “There are times when a player is finding his feet. Hopefully, we can have a turnaround in KL as well.”
India’s upcoming schedule includes three Tests against New Zealand at home, followed by a five-Test tour of Australia. Nayar noted that Rahul showed glimpses of form in the first Test against Bangladesh, particularly in the second innings when he scored 22 off 19 balls.
“The way he was batting in the second innings is the kind of cricket we are expecting and hoping for,” Nayar said. “I am pretty sure going forward you will see the expectations and the performances that you have from him.”
India’s victory against Bangladesh marked a significant milestone, as it pushed their Test win rate above 50 percent for the first time in history. The team has now won 179 Tests and lost 178.
