KL Rahul’s dismissal in Colombo has started a debate. Was it just one bad shot, or did Sri Lanka find something they can target?
Rahul made 18 off 33 balls in India’s first innings of the second Test before Lahiru Kumara got him caught behind.
The strange part was the shot. Rahul usually waits, leaves the ball and makes bowlers work for his wicket. But this time, he went after a wide delivery and tried to cut it.
Former India batter Ajay Jadeja was surprised by the dismissal, although he felt Rahul had picked the right ball to play the cut.
Ajay Jadeja explained that Rahul had been leaving closer deliveries before choosing to attack the wider one.
So, was the problem the shot itself or the way Rahul played it? Former India star Venkatesh Prasad had a different view.
He felt Rahul may have become too aggressive after hitting a boundary earlier in the over. It’s very unlike KL Rahul, Venkatesh Prasad said.
That raises another question. Did Rahul get carried away after finding the boundary?
Rahul’s Test batting has always been built around patience. He waits for the right ball and rarely gives bowlers easy chances.
But this dismissal was different. One mistake does not suddenly become a weakness.
Despite, if Rahul keeps trying to attack balls he normally leaves, bowlers could start using that against him.
