10 instances when KL Rahul failed to convert his fifties

With places up for grabs in the Indian Test team ahead of their big tour to England, KL Rahul made a comeback to the Test side after a disappointing tour to South Africa on the back of some superb form in the Indian Premier League 2018. He racked up as many as 659 runs in just 14 games at an average of 54.92, striking at an astonishing strike rate of 158.41. No Virat Kohli meant KL Rahul got a chance against Afghanistan. We got another start before failing again.

Life has turned around in quick time for KL Rahul ever since he made his Test debut against Australia in 2014. One remembers his hoick which resulted in his dismissal which disappointed one and all but there was never a shortage of potential and he duly repaid the faith with a magnificent 110 at Sydney. He then went onto score two more tons in the next eight knocks thereby building a reputation of scoring tons or nothing. The talk almost proved like a jinx to his career as he has since then failed to convert many of his starts into substantial scores. We look at the instances when he's failed to convert his scores of over fifty into centuries.

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#1 54 v Afghanistan, Bangalore 2018

KL Rahul plays a shot during his knock.

Afghanistan became the 12th nation to play Test cricket and were brutally welcomed to Test cricket with some aggression by the Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan who became the first Indian opener to score a century before Lunch on Day 1 of the Test, he had a 168-run stand with Murali Vijay who was looking solid as ever. Rahul came in at No. 3 and got his eye while Vijay took the attack to the Afghan bowlers. But once he settled, Rahul raced away to a half-century looking at complete ease. But as has been the case with him earlier, Vijay was out lbw and Rahul in an attempt to put the pressure back on the visitors, played a risk shot to drag the ball back onto his stumps, leaving all his fans bitterly disappointed.

#2 79 vs Sri Lanka, Kolkata, 2017

In what was one of the close Tests against Sri Lanka, India were in pressure after the visitors had taken a 122-run lead in the first innings. Rahul who had scored a first-ball duck in the first innings was on a pair but the opener made sure India got off to a good start as he and Shikhar Dhawan combined for a 166-run stand, setting up the total of 352 for 8 dec. Rahul though fell for 79 to the same bowler who dismissed him in the first innings, Suranga Lakmal.

#3 85 vs Sri Lanka, Pallekele 2017

KL Rahul gets run out for 57 against Sri Lanka

It was once again the Rahul-Dhawan combination which was doing well against Sri Lanka, this time away from home when the duo added 188 runs for the opening wicket. Rahul opening the batting was looking in pristine touch hitting eight boundaries in his 135-ball knock. The stand allowed India to post 487 on board and the bowlers then bowled out the Lankans twice under 200 to register an innings victory.

4) 57 vs Sri Lanka, Colombo (SSC) 2017

Once you get in, you must make it count and when Rahul was looking just to do that against Sri Lanka, a Test before the one mentioned above, he was run out after a terrible mix-up with Cheteshwar Pujara. Rahul had called for the run but despite responding earlier, Pujara sent back the Indian opener late and the result was another score of over fifty left unconverted into a century.

#5 60 vs Australia, Dharamshala, 2017

India vs Australia Dharamsala Test 2017

In a series where tempers flared, a lot was said, one man was putting his head down every game and ensuring India got good starts regularly. Rahul had made it a habit by then to get a start. In a decisive Test, his 60 off 124 balls was crucial for India getting close to the Australian total before rolling them over for a low score and chasing it down. Rahul registered a fine unbeaten 51 but there was no chance of converting that knock.

6) 67 vs Australia, Ranchi, 2017

At the hometown of one of India's national hero in MS Dhoni, it was thanks to Rahul and Murali Vijay's efforts that India began well compared to Australia's 451. Rahul was looking solid as ever but it was Pat Cummins who had his number that got the better of the Indian opener, after he had crossed 50 and failed to convert another of his good beginning.

#7 90 vs Australia, Bangalore 2017

KL Rahul had a good series against Australia at home in 2017

It was the Brain-Fade Test but there was nothing that was stopping Rahul from continuing his good reign of form. India came into the game having lost the first Test at Pune and Rahul lost his opening partner Abhinav Mukund for an eight-ball duck and wickets kept falling at intervals and it was only thanks to his 90 that India posted 189 on the board in the first innings.

#8 51 vs Australia, Bangalore 2017

After scoring just 189, India conceded an 87-run lead and needed a good start. Abhinav Mukund contributed with 16 but it was Rahul's 51 that helped India stay afloat. He was dismissed by the hero of the first game, Steve O'Keefe. Chetehwar Pujara's 221-ball 92 eventually ensured India came back in the series with a win as the Indian spinners ruled the roost at Bangalore.

#9 64 vs Australia, Pune 2017

KL Rahul was the only bright spot for India in the match

It was a Test to forget for India as they suffered an embarrassing and huge 333-run loss as they found no answers to the spin threat from Steve O'Keefe who finished with figures of 12 for 70 left India hurting. Rahul was the only positive for India from that game, having scored 97-ball 64 but he was the first victim of the left-arm spinner which set the ball rolling for the visitors.

#10 50 vs West Indies, Gros Islet 2016

Rahul came into the Test having scored a brilliant 158 at Kingston in the second Test coming in for the injured Murali Vijay. Looking to come back in the series, Windies elected to field and struck early dismissing Dhawan but Rahul scored a fifty to steady India but once again when it looked like he would score a big one, he fell exactly 50 short.