Leg and off: Should India drop KL Rahul ahead of 2nd IND vs NZ 2024 Test?

Fans were hoping for another home series where India would complete a clean sweep over their opponents ahead of the first Test against New Zealand. Day 1 was washed out due to rain. The following day, in overcast conditions at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore, Rohit Sharma won a crucial toss.

In a surprising move, the Indian captain opted to bat first. The result was a dismal performance, with the hosts bowled out for just 46 runs in 31.2 overs, marking their third-lowest total in Test history.

In response, Devon Conway set the pace for the visitors with a score of 91. However, the Indian bowlers continued to take wickets, leaving the Black Caps at 233 for seven. Rachin Ravindra notched up a fantastic century with 134 runs while former captain Southee contributed 65, helping the Kiwis finish their first innings with a total of 402 runs and a commanding lead of 356.

In India's second innings, Rohit (52) and Virat Kohli (70) scored half-centuries, initiating a fightback for the hosts. Sarfaraz Khan, replacing Shubman Gill (who was ruled out due to a stiff neck), impressed with a stunning maiden century of 150 runs.

Rishabh Pant also made a significant contribution but narrowly missed out on a well-deserved century, ending with 99 runs.

India aimed to mount a strong comeback at 408-3 but the introduction of the second new ball shifted the dynamics of the game, resulting in the hosts losing their last seven wickets for just 54 runs. India was eventually bowled out for 462, setting a target of only 107 runs. Will Young (48*) and Rachin (39*) played solid innings, leading the visitors to a comfortable eight-wicket victory.

The hosts now find themselves 1-0 down ahead of the second Test, which is set to begin on October 24 in Pune. Shubman Gill appears to have recovered, having practiced on the center wicket after the match and is likely to return to the playing XI.

Meanwhile, Sarfaraz Khan’s outstanding century complicates matters for the team, as they must decide whether to drop him or KL Rahul, who had a disappointing performance.

KL has faced criticism from fans for some time and his performance in the first game did not help his case. The big question for the management, as they approach the second match, is whether to drop KL or the centurion Sarfaraz.

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India should back KL Rahul, given his recent transition to the No. 6 position in Test cricket

At 32, Rahul has primarily played in the top order throughout his career. He has opened the innings 75 times, amassing 2,551 runs at an average of 34.95, which includes 12 fifties and seven centuries.

KL Rahul had a disappointing run as an opener in 2022 and 2023, accumulating only 175 runs in 11 innings. As a result, he was dropped from the team as India explored new opening options, including Yashasvi Jaiswal.

Rahul made his return during the away series against South Africa in December 2023, taking on a new role at No. 6. He didn't disappoint, scoring a century with 101 runs off 137 balls. From a position of 107-5, he singlehandedly lifted India’s first-innings score to 245. Although India lost the match, Rahul made a strong impact in his new position.

Earlier this year, he was promoted to No. 4 in the first Test against England, where he scored a brisk 86. He then missed the remainder of the series due to a quadriceps injury and a sore knee.

Rahul recently returned to Test cricket in the series against Bangladesh, scoring a rapid fifty in the second match with 68 runs off just 43 balls at No. 6. He has been grappling with inconsistent form and injuries for some time in his Test career, and the continuous shifts in his batting position haven’t helped the 32-year-old.

With India scheduled to tour Australia after the New Zealand series, the team management needs to trust him and give him time to adjust to his new role. Rahul brings a wealth of experience to the team, having played in diverse conditions against a variety of opponents. His adaptability will be vital, particularly in challenging environments like Australia.

Rahul has already scored a century there, having notched up 110 runs while opening the batting in his second Test in Sydney.

Every athlete goes through rough patches, and Rahul has shown before that he can bounce back. Instead of dropping him, the selectors should consider backing him during this challenging phase. This approach could not only help restore his confidence but also benefit the team in future matches.

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It's the perfect time to give Sarfaraz Khan a long run in Test cricket

Mumbai cricketer Sarfaraz Khan has been a standout performer in domestic cricket. Just 26, he has played 52 first-class matches, scoring 4,572 runs at an impressive average of 69.27, including 14 fifties and 16 centuries.

His exceptional track record earned him a national call-up, where he made a mark by scoring a solid 62 off 66 balls in his debut Test against England earlier this year. In the first Test against New Zealand, after registering a duck in the first innings and with the team facing a deficit of 356 runs, Sarfaraz rose to the occasion.

In India’s second innings, he delivered brilliantly, notching up his maiden century with 150 runs off 195 balls, which included 18 boundaries and three sixes, ultimately helping the hosts avoid an innings defeat.

His performance could persuade the team management to stick with him and consider dropping the experienced Rahul. The Bengaluru cricketer has struggled recently, accumulating only 234 runs in five Tests this year at an average of 33.42.

With KL scoring a duck and just 12 runs in the first game, the odds are stacked against him, further fueling the argument that Sarfaraz deserves a chance ahead of him.

With the pressure mounting against a strong New Zealand team and India already down 1-0, the selectors might look to bring in someone who can make an immediate impact.

The next two games could provide Sarfaraz with valuable experience that could be advantageous if he gets the opportunity to play in the five-match Border-Gavaskar series.