India’s opening batter KL Rahul batting has been struggling for runs across formats of the game. In the last few months, he failed to deliver in the Men’s Asia Cup and the Men’s 20-20 World Cup 2022. After this, he failed to live up to the expectations against a weak Sri Lanka during the ODI series last month. In the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the story has repeated itself.
Meanwhile, former India opening Gautam Gambhir has backed Rahul during these times. However, the former isn’t the only one to defend Rahul’s poor form. Aakash Chopra also did the same which resulted in a Twitter war with Venkatesh Prasad. Meanwhile, Gambhir has said that people who are criticizing Rahul don’t know how tough it is playing for a country.
“People who are talking (criticizing) about KL Rahul don’t know how tough international cricket is, I believe when a player is not performing he needs more support, player Name the one who has scored every time every player has faced this difficult time. We should support talents,” Gambhir said on Sports Tak.
KL Rahul and Gautam Gambhir work together in the Lucknow team
Not to mention, Gambhir and Rahul work together for the Lucknow franchise in the Indian T20 League. The former is the mentor of the team. On the other hand, the right-hander is the skipper of the Mint Green brigade. With a little more than a month left in the 16th season, Gambhir might be supporting Rahul so that he feels comfortable during the tournament.
After all, the Bangalore-born player’s performance will matter for the team. Meanwhile, the fans aren’t impressed with Gambhir backing Rahul despite repeated failures and youngsters such as Shubman Gill waiting in the wings. Not to forget, the 2018 U19 World Cup winner was in-form during the white-ball series against New Zealand and Sri Lanka last month.
This is how Twitter reacted
Tough? You are getting paid to do so, you are endorsing brands because we people make you megastar. Come on! Don’t beat around the bush, India have options if he isn’t performing then give chances to other lads. K.L should play county, and come again with runs in his bag.
— Sujal (@Sujal_Pandey07) February 23, 2023
— Rahul Sisodia (@Sisodia19Rahul) February 23, 2023
Gambhir should also talk about Kohli pic.twitter.com/jaSXpC4pN6
— DIO (@thebasedguy028) February 23, 2023
The f***ing yardstick should be the same for everyone then
Karun Nair
Sanju Samson
Rahane
Mayank
Prithwi Shaw
….. And many more have suffered because of this favouritism.— Deepak-JSR (@Deepak_D1105) February 23, 2023
Gambhir and Rahul were talking with each other in 2nd Test match and they were saying that they have picked the worst squad of all IPL franchises
— Sports.world (@moiz_sports) February 23, 2023
For how long does the backing last ,infinite? He can criticise talents like Dhoni and Kohli but can back KL
— Krushna Behera (@krushnabehera_) February 23, 2023
Well, Gill has scored runs almost everytime he got opportunity, especially this year. And we should back the talent that Gill is. So all fair if Gill replaces KL.
— Mudit Jain, IRS (@MuditJainIRS) February 23, 2023
According to Gambhir Prasad sir has no idea of international cricket..
Wat a joke
KL Rahul looks like hired powerful to powerful pr to protect himself— Vaibhav (@vabby_16) February 23, 2023
Abhe yaar,sab dogle bhare pade hai,Back karne ki bhi Seema hoti hai,sala not like failed in 20 matches,then perform in one match,and yeah our backing did wonder,then whats the use of having so many players,it's fast world,people waiting to perform and we have to back him😑
— Anshu Aggarwal (@anshu_aggarwal9) February 23, 2023
Kl rahul is talented and shubman gill isn't? 😂😂😂why does these backing are reserved only for kl rahul since 2015 , no other player get it, he has played 88 trial test innings, 28 average in sena 🤡🤡🤡
— ✶ 🎀 𝒟𝒶𝓀𝓈𝒽 𝑔𝒾𝓁𝓁 🎀 ✶ (@GillDakshveer) February 23, 2023