KL Rahul smashes Rohit Sharma-management after scoring runs under Jasprit Bumrah

KL Rahul’s patience, determination, and defensive game were fully on display in the ongoing first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 against Australia at the Optus Stadium in Perth. In the absence of regular Indian captain and opener Rohit Sharma, Rahul got the opportunity to return as an opener, and he grabbed his chance with both hands in Perth.

After failing to capitalize on his gritty start in the first innings, where he made 26 runs off 74 balls, KL Rahul returned more confident and was determined to contribute with the bat in the second innings of the ongoing five-match Test series opener against Australia at the Optus Stadium.

KL Rahul shines in Perth, silences critics with a record-breaking comeback

The right-handed batter played a record-breaking knock of 77 runs off 176 balls studded with five boundaries as well as stitched a record 201-run opening partnership with the centurion Yashasvi Jaiswal (161) to put India in a commanding position in the Perth Test against Australia.

Read Also: Yashasvi Jaiswal-KL Rahul achieve what Sachin Tendulkar-Virender Sehwag couldn't ever

With this gritty knock, KL Rahul proved his critics wrong and justified his selection for the crucial Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 in Australia. However, before Gautam Gambhir’s era, the Karnataka batter had been in and out of the Test side due to his inconsistent performances.

Rahul got to play only 18 Test matches during Rahul Dravid’s tenure, while Rohit Sharma gave him the opportunity to sport whites only in 8 matches so far. Even during India’s last three-match Test series against New Zealand at home, Rahul was dropped from the playing XI for the two games.

KL Rahul slams Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid indirectly for ignoring him

Now, after silencing his critics with his brilliant comeback to his form on Australian soil, KL Rahul has indirectly slammed the former Indian head coach Rahul Dravid, and his captain Rohit Sharma for keeping him outside of the playing XI in the longest format of the game.

Read Also: Watch: Virat Kohli Predicts Rishabh Pant's 27 Crore Historic Bid from Perth during IND vs AUS

Rahul said that he hates sitting outside and missing the games while hailing the Indian batting coach Abhishek Nair for helping him out during his training. He also said that the four-day match in Melbourne against Australia A earlier this month helped him a lot in going in the right direction.

The best place for me to play is in the XI: Rahul

KL Rahul said in a video posted by the BCCI on its official website: “The best place for me to play is in the XI. I hate sitting outside and missing games of cricket. I had a bit of time; I worked hard on my batting. I worked for hours together with Abhishek Nair through those two games against New Zealand that I didn't play.

When you're not playing, it's hard to keep yourself motivated, but I think a lot of credit goes to Abhishek as well. He encouraged me to keep doing the hours, and when coming here early, playing that game in Melbourne also gave me that time in the middle that I needed. Going out there and getting runs was obviously pleasing and tells you that you're headed in the right direction. So yeah, I'm happy and pleased."