How KL Rahul can live up to India's 'crisis man' tag in Border-Gavaskar Trophy

KL Rahul faces a career-defining moment as India begins their Border-Gavaskar Trophy campaign against Australia. With Rohit Sharma absent for the Perth Test, Rahul must overcome poor form and deliver under pressure to secure his red-ball future.

In Short

• KL Rahul scored only 106 runs during the Bangladesh series
• He was dropped after the first Test against New Zealand
• He led up to being the leading choice to replace Rohit in Perth Test

As India gears up for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, which holds immense significance for the team's chances of making the World Test Championship (WTC) final, it will also serve as a decisive moment for KL Rahul's red-ball future. Walking into the series after a string of poor performances in recent Tests, Rahul is likely to open for India in the series opener in Perth.

India enters the series with a dent in their confidence following a historic Test series whitewash at home against New Zealand. To add to the challenge, the team will likely play the Perth Test without regular skipper and opener Rohit Sharma, who recently became a father for the second time. In Rohit’s absence, KL Rahul and Abhimanyu Easwaran are considered potential replacements for the opener’s spot. If Rahul is given the nod over Easwaran, it will be another opportunity for the 32-year-old to live up to his "crisis man" tag.

India’s Faith in KL Rahul’s Overseas Record

Although Rahul has struggled to make a significant impact on Australian soil, his reputation as an overseas specialist keeps earning him opportunities. In just his second Test back in 2015, Rahul played a stunning knock of 110 against Australia in Melbourne, earning widespread acclaim. Since then, he has recorded centuries in England and South Africa, including a memorable ton in Centurion in December 2023.

Rahul’s ability to perform under challenging conditions might again tilt the scales in his favour for the Perth Test. His knack for pulling India out of precarious situations has been a key reason for his inclusion in the squad despite inconsistent form.

The Importance of the Perth Test

While Rahul's experience and decent record against Australia make him the frontrunner to open in Perth, his place in the second Test is far from guaranteed. Rohit Sharma is likely to return for the Adelaide Test, reclaiming his opener’s spot. Even a strong performance from Rahul in Perth might not secure his place in the XI, given Rohit's automatic inclusion.

However, head coach Gautam Gambhir has praised Rahul's flexibility in the batting order. The 32-year-old has often batted at No. 6 for India in Tests and could find himself back in that role if the team experiments with its lineup. A solid performance in Perth could strengthen his case for such a transition.

"He can bat at number three, and he can actually bat at number six as well. So you need quite a lot of talent to be doing these kind of jobs as well. And he's kept wickets in one day format as well. So imagine how many countries have players like KL who can actually open the batting and can bat at number six as well. So I feel that, if needed be, I think he can do the job for us, especially if it is not available for the first test match, yeah,” said Gambhir in the press conference.

Time Running Out for KL Rahul

India has shown patience with KL Rahul in Tests, despite his tendency to perform in patches and struggle to convert starts into big scores. After scoring 86 and 22 in the Hyderabad Test against England, he had to withdraw from the series due to a quadriceps injury. He was recalled during the Bangladesh series in December 2023 but managed only 106 runs across three innings in two Tests. His poor form continued in the New Zealand series, where he scored a duck and 12 in the first Test before being dropped.

Now, with Rohit Sharma absent for the Perth Test, Rahul may get one last chance under head coach Gambhir and stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah. This match could be pivotal—either reviving his Test career or signalling its end if he fails again.

The Perth Test is more than just another match for KL Rahul; it is a defining moment in his career. With opportunities dwindling, Rahul must seize this chance and prove his worth, knowing that the stakes have never been higher.