Shameless Gautam Gambhir!! Twitter reacts to KL Rahul being dropped for Pune Test

Star India batter KL Rahul was dropped from India's Playing XI for the second Test between India and New Zealand at Pune. Rahul had endured low scores across both the innings at Bengaluru and was already at the risk of sitting out.

However, India's head coach Gambhir backed the 32-year-old to return to form and score big runs. Gambhir showed confidence in Rahul and spoke about the batter's experience of playing in different conditions.

Gambhir's comments gave some hope to Rahul of playing the Pune Test. However, he was dropped from the team in favor of Shubman Gill. The social media slammed Gambhir for dropping Rahul despite backing him a day ago. The users also slammed Rohit Sharma for the omission of KL Rahul.

Also read: Revealed: Why KL Rahul, Mohammed Siraj, and Kuldeep Yadav are not playing today's match vs New Zealand and who have replaced them?

Twitter calls Gautam Gambhir "shameless" for dropping KL Rahul for Pune Test

- Not part of T20I team.
- Didint played in the 3rd ODI vs SL.
- Not part of the 2nd Test vs NZ.

2024 has been tough for KL Rahul in terms of selection and injuries, comeback strong soon. 🌟 pic.twitter.com/1TrUmAzWSu

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) October 24, 2024

Victim of brutal PR💔🥺

No matter the odds, I'll stand by KL Rahul! If the world's against him, I'll be his unwavering ally!❣️#KLRahul #INDvNZ
pic.twitter.com/MyLVInNgsR

— Gajan (@JayHind108) October 24, 2024

KL Rahul predicted his last match #INDvsNZ pic.twitter.com/Ms7MLasXIA

— ICT Fan (@Delphy06) October 24, 2024

Thank you KL rahul for all the memories. ❤️🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/f7U8OwluAG

— 𝓱 ¹⁷ 🇮🇳 (@twitfrenzy_) October 24, 2024

Let's Take a moment and laugh at kl rahul 😭😭. pic.twitter.com/KHM78i2gmx

— Waxy🇦🇷 (@waswaxyy) October 24, 2024

This shameless Gautam Gambhir. 🤡

Yesterday - "Social media doesn't decide XI. It's not important what social media or experts think. This management is looking to back KL Rahul"

Today - He dropped him for the 2nd test. pic.twitter.com/m13orus5HM

— Kunal Yadav (@Kunal_KLR) October 24, 2024

Gautam Gambhir yesterday - “We will back KL Rahul ”
Rohit Sharma today - Bhut back karliya pic.twitter.com/Z3Bz9qtOor

— AP (@AksP009) October 24, 2024

Rohit himself Playing with captaincy quato.

He has scored even fewer runs than KL Rahul in last series And he did poor captaincy in the last match as well.

But no one will drop him only because he is captain.#INDvsNZ #RohithSharma pic.twitter.com/Jjw9ruApYj

— V.🐐 (@insaneaayush0) October 24, 2024

Thank you KL Rahul 🐱
We will miss you , legend pic.twitter.com/AOojAp8LuX

— Akansha Datta 💐 (@akanshadattaaa) October 24, 2024

Heartbroken to see KL Rahul dropped from the 2nd Test. He deserves better! 💔🥺#KLRahulForever #KLRahul #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/VqzGM9yOwq

— Gajan (@JayHind108) October 24, 2024

End of a short classical career @klrahul
Thank you for entertaining us over 4 yrs.
I wish you all the best for the future. #KLRahul #INDvsNZ

#INDvNZ #2ndTest

गंभीर ने राहुल के बारे में बायाँ दिखा कर दायां मार दिया#KLRahul

— Syed Yusuf Mehdi 🇮🇳 (@yusufmehdi) October 24, 2024

— SB (@BeheraSnehajit) October 24, 2024

Sarfaraz Khan keeps his place

While KL Rahul was dropped for this match, last match's centurion Sarfaraz Khan kept his place. Sarfaraz slammed his maiden Test hundred in Bengaluru and scored 150 off 195 balls. He helped India launch a fightback, however, the Men in Blue lost the game.

Alongside Rahul, fast bowler Mohammed Siraj and left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav were also dropped from the Playing XI. Akash Deep and Washington Sundar replaced them.

New Zealand brought in an extra spinner

Siraj had endured poor form recently while Kuldeep was dropped in favor of Sundar, who can be useful with his off-spin to New Zealand's top order, which has three left-handed batters. On the other hand, New Zealand made one change with Mitchell Santner coming into the side for last match's hero Matt Henry.