India vs Windies 2008: Ajit Agarkar, Courtney Walsh Shed Light on KL Rahul's Poor Form

Former Indian fast bowler Ajit Agarkar and Courtney Walsh shed light on KL Rahul’s technique. The right-hander has struggled to get going in the recent past except for his fine knock of 149 in the fifth and final Test match at Oval. Rahul has had his issues with the incoming delivery and has been often dismissed via leg-before-wicket or bowled. Thus, it is a worrying sign for India.

Meanwhile, KL Rahul has been mentally under the pressure. In fact, it was palpable from the way he batted in the first innings of the second Test match. Rahul could not trouble the scorers in the first Test match. Meanwhile, he took 25 balls for his four runs in the first innings of the ongoing Test match.

Rahul looks under pressure mentally.

Therefore, Rahul has gone through a lean patch which has impacted his mindset, thus leaving him in a muddle. Ajit Agarkar believes the tentativeness has led to Rahul’s downfall.

Ajit Agarkar said while talking to ESPN Cricinfo, “It is a strange one for KL Rahul. He had a tough tour of England but the last inning he played in England was a 149. So, to say he is in a bad mental space is a strange one. Obviously, you can see he is not confident enough, he is worried about getting out. Therefore, the tentativeness has come into his game today. He tried to put his foot straighter today because he is getting out to the ball coming in. Thus, the tentativeness to leave the ball or play the game has eventually played on the stumps”.

On the other hand, Courtney Walsh believes that there was a difference of confidence between Prithvi Shaw and KL Rahul.

Courtney Walsh said, “I think the difference between them was the confidence. Shaw is coming after scoring a hundred in the first Test match. Rahul is struggling a little bit and once you are struggling, you are going to be tentative and you can see he has been tentative. I don’t doubt his ability as a player, he is a good player, all the players go through a bad phase at some point in their career”.

KL Rahul has struggled to get going in this ongoing Test series. Therefore, Rahul will like to come back stronger in the forthcoming matches.