KL Rahul has been under scrutiny for quite some time. Rahul was regarded as India's captain in all formats three years ago, but he is no longer in the T20I squad and faces the prospect of losing his place on the ODI and Test lineups as well.
Despite playing 51 Tests, he has never been able to establish himself in the team. In 51 Tests, he scored 2901 runs, averaging 34.12.
He made his Test return to the Indian team in the first match against Bangladesh, after missing out on the format since the England Test series when he suffered an injury in the first Test and was out of commission.
Rahul is no longer in the T20I plans for the Indian team, though he is a vital part of the ODI due to his wicketkeeping abilities.
Former player Sanjay Manjrekar has released his opinion on Rahul's future. Manjrekar suggested that if Rahul continues to play as he has throughout his Test career, he may be replaced soon.
"KL Rahul is somebody I will keep a close eye on. Look at whether his inherent trait of not getting into that top form, high confidence phase, whether he can get there and keep his confidence intact, play freely as he did in the second innings of the last Test. I think I will watch that and if you continue to see KL Rahul play in the fashion that he has done in 50 Test matches, then there are many batters out there, especially when you are playing in India, knocking heavily on that door to get into that playing XI," Manjrekar said on ESPNCricinfo.
Manjrekar was also asked whether Sarfaraz Khan can replace KL Rahul in the Indian XI in Test cricket.
Manjrekar said: "I am sure someone there in the team management or selection committee who has a high regard for KL Rahul. He has come back into the playing XI, despite the kind of performances he has had. The only thing going against Rahul is the number of Test matches he has played an average of 34. So ideally they should be looking at KL Rahul in these two innings, and now in Kanpur. If you see KL Rahul in the same mold as the first innings in the last Test, if that continues, there is uncertainty when he bats, then maybe you will start pondering on KL Rahul's long-term batting and selection."
In the first Test, Rahul batted at no. 6 and registered 16 off 52 balls in the first innings. Meanwhile, in the second innings, he remained unbeaten with a knock of 22* runs off 19 deliveries.
