Twitter advocates for Prithvi Shaw to replace KL Rahul for the last Test against England

Team India is fighting it out in the ongoing fourth Test against England in Southampton. They are chasing the total of 245 runs to stay alive in the series and the openers had to give them a good start with the pitch deteriorating very fast. But KL Rahul’s poor run with the bat continued as he bagged a seven-ball duck in the second innings. Twitterati was not happy with his continuous failures and are now advocating for Prithvi Shaw‘s inclusion for the fifth and final Test match.

Rahul is the only Indian opener to play all the matches of the series so far. But he hasn’t been able to repay the faith shown in him by the team management. So far, the opening batsman has only mustered 113 runs in eight innings at an average of 14.12. To make things worse, he hasn’t scored even a half-century while looking decent in denying the opening bowlers a wicket.

Failed to convert starts

KL Rahul has managed to get starts more often than not. But the bowlers have got his measure with an incoming delivery and has exposed his weakness big time in this series. In the first couple of Tests it was about adjusting the technique for him, rather all Indian batsmen, after a humbling at Lord’s. The third game of the series saw a drastic change in his approach and also played a few crunching backfoot punches.

But he hasn’t been able to go on and score a big innings which has led to the calls of him to be dropped now. But Rahul’s slip catching has been exceptional. It was him who took seven catches in the first innings of Trent Bridge and has also been superb in Southampton. Only catching cannot seal a place for him in the series with Prithvi Shaw waiting in the wings.

The selectors dropped Murali Vijay after a string of low scores and going by the norm even Rahul might have to be left out for the final game with the chances of Shaw making it to the XI looking strong.

Here’s how Twitter reacted:

I think Prithvi shaw should be given a go in the next game!! KL Rahul has been very poor this series! Very disappointing!! #ENGvIND
Rooting for a Kohli 💯

— Adil Mohammed (@Adil_888) September 2, 2018

KL Rahul's last 13 innings outside the sub-continent : 28, 10, 4, 0, 16, 4, 13, 8, 10, 23, 36, 19, 0. So for the last test match #TeamIndia can give opportunity to #PrithviShaw as an opener. #IndvsEng #ENGvIND #BCCI #Kohli

— giftsonraja (@giftsonraja) September 2, 2018

KL Rahul's last 13 innings outside the sub-continent: 28, 10, 4, 0, 16, 4, 13, 8, 10, 23, 36, 19, 0
Time for Prithvi SHOW in 5th test? #ENGvIND

— रितेश बच्छाव (@BachhavRitesh) September 2, 2018

#ENGvIND
Prithvi Shaw will soon become the 292nd cap for India in test match cricket. For the time being KL Rahul might only play white ball cricket. He has been the worst batsman in the series so far and has let India down.

— Dr Rikin Gogri 🇮🇳 (@dr_rikin) September 2, 2018

Time to drop KL Rahul and get in Prithvi Shaw as our opener in the final 5th test #ENGvIND

— Narayanan S (@MeanderinTravel) September 2, 2018

Agar Swinging Deliveries ko Khelna Aata Nahi To Phir Dusre players ko kyu chance nahi dete ho BCCI… KL Rahul last 8 inning no 50+ score… He must dropped in 5th test… I want Prithvi shaw and mayank agarwal… #ENGvIND #HappyJanmashtami

— Pruthvi Ahir (@PruthviAhir9) September 2, 2018

Believe me or not KL Rahul and Shilhar Dhawan are not Test players at all !! It would have been better if we have selected Shaw and Hanuma Vihari to play in this Test. #IndVsEng #ENGvIND ##KLRahul #Broad #England

— Gaurav Kalra (@daredevilgaurav) September 2, 2018

The legend KL RAHUL
Gone missed his century by 100 runs only What a player👏🏼👏🏼
7 ball duck
Aur doo chances bc isko boht talented hai yeh next Virat Kohli ghanta bc 😡🤬🤬
I hope agle test mien #prithvishaw koh chance mile iss useless ke badle #ENGvIND #kyahogaissbaar

— jitz03 (@jitzvijan03) September 2, 2018

So so disappointed with KL Rahul in this English season. Looks totally clueless. I root for Prithvi Shaw in the final test. #INDvENG

— Tapan Mehtta (@tapanmehtta) September 2, 2018

Enough of KL Rahul , Make way for Prithvi Shaw 🤘🏻 #ENGvIND

— Yash 😊🏏 (@YashR06) September 2, 2018

I see Prithivi Shaw will debuting in 5th test. Drop KL Rahul#IndVEng #ENGvIND

— Naina ❤ (@Naina9326) September 2, 2018

@bcci @bhogleharsha 12/12 failures for KL Rahul. 4 innings in SA, 8 in England. How long will you persist with so called talented https://t.co/c4GNzvb9HL long will MSK persist with him. Vijay is anyday better bat, forget few failures. Or bring Shaw

— Sandeep Aggarwal (@Sandeep19654742) September 2, 2018

It's enough for kl rahul… Prithvi shaw coming in for him in next match #EngVsInd

— Mohd Shoaib (@Dikisukhi) September 2, 2018

kl rahul ducks…… his duck continue as kohli faith toward rahul continue.
its time to exposure the young talent of prithvi shaw#INDvENG #ENGvIND

— Rajat Sharma (@rajat_sachin) September 2, 2018

Bye bye KL Rahul as far as test cricket is concerned..#ENGvIND #INDvsENG

— ek aalu bonda (@ek_aalu_bonda) September 2, 2018

@BCCI need some new opener in place of KL Rahul, players need to be consistent in their performance or else there are lots of talented youngsters waiting.

— I am Right (@Pri87538480) September 2, 2018

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