India were left ruing a major missed opportunity on the opening day of the second Test against South Africa at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati, as KL Rahul put down a straightforward chance in the slips—an error that set social media buzzing with criticism.

Winning the toss and choosing to bat, South Africa began steadily before a dramatic moment unfolded during Jasprit Bumrah’s new-ball spell. What could have been a decisive early strike instead turned into a momentum-shifting reprieve for the visitors.

KL Rahul’s slip error gives Aiden Markram a lifeline

The incident occurred in the seventh over of the morning session, during a probing spell from Bumrah. Delivering at brisk pace and shaping the ball away from the right-hander, Bumrah drew a thick edge from Aiden Markram, who had barely settled at the crease.

The ball travelled low and quickly towards second slip, where Rahul moved across but failed to grasp what looked like a routine take. Bumrah instantly crouched down, covering his face in disbelief, while Markram—on only 4 at the time—survived a moment that should have ended his stay.

😬 India’s fielding coach didn’t look pleased after KL Rahul put down Markram!

Could this drop come back to hurt India later? 👀#Cricket #KLRahul #INDvSA #Guwahati #Test pic.twitter.com/4lt1p28YRz

— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) November 22, 2025

Instead of an early breakthrough, India found themselves under pressure as South Africa stabilised and took advantage of the slip-up.

Rahul faces backlash for dropping the sitter

Within minutes of the drop, fans took to social media to express their frustration. Many argued that such mistakes have become far too frequent, while others questioned Rahul’s reliability in the slip cordon. The reactions ranged from disappointment to sharp trolling as the opening partnership continued to flourish.

Here’s how fans reacted:

KL Rahul – Team India’s safest hands. 👏😍
Really?????#INDvsSA #SAvsIND #KLRahul pic.twitter.com/zyFxEDDWB7

— Imran khan (@Mdimran67489918) November 22, 2025

KL RAHUL, why do you exist man?

— Indian Kissinger (@kissingerspeaks) November 22, 2025

KL Rahul dropped Markram. pic.twitter.com/OQDqsG1yQO

— Vipin Tiwari (@Vipintiwari952) November 22, 2025

#KLRAHUL #GUWAHATI #catch KL RAHUL DOING HIS BEST LEAVING A SITTER and making things difficult for india ..last inning he scored 0 or what ….is he screwing RISHABH PANT the competiter pic.twitter.com/saRiVaPzTj

— spacerider 2025 (@spacerider2025) November 22, 2025

KL Rahul you lucky freak, can’t bat in important matches, only play well in patches, tanked in every big game and dropping these sitters, your lobby or whatever is godly man. #INDvsSA

— Saurabh (@Mbatious11) November 22, 2025

KL Rahul drops Aiden Markram

Came at him fast but should have been taken

Bumrah disappointed#INDvsSA

— CricketPedia (@CricketPediaHQ) November 22, 2025

Makram dropped off at 4 runs by KL Rahul.
Notably, India has the highest dropped catches record with 41 only next to Bangladesh in 2025. Pathetic catching. #IndianCricket #INDvsSA pic.twitter.com/slokooLx7Q

— Dev🇮🇳 (@DevBilla2) November 22, 2025

KL Rahul, when no body is doing wrong.#IndvsSa pic.twitter.com/hxbkoQb2kC

— Murari Tyamjan🧢 (@Murari_Tyamjan) November 22, 2025

Bumrah and Siraj did all the hard work, and KL Rahul spoiled it. Bumrah looked so disappointed.pic.twitter.com/9ncxNMQeTE https://t.co/46PceO5Qmj

— HARSHIT 🕷 (@I_am_Harshit_17) November 22, 2025

KL Rahul drops a sitter catch 😢 pic.twitter.com/CdhVc0V52Y

— RP17 Fanᵀᵉˡᵘᵍᵘ 🇮🇳 (@TeluguRP17Fan) November 22, 2025

Kya baat hai, November ho aur KL Rahul saamne waali team se nahi khele aisa toh nahi ho sakta 🤧 #INDvsSA pic.twitter.com/cYuwBUDKlK

— Monster Man (@manmonster128) November 22, 2025

– Typical subcontinent spin pitch
– Captain Gill ran away after 1-0
– Gambhir has 0 accountability
– No support from the other end
– Bowled a consistent good spell
– Kl Rahul dropped an easy catch

Now haters will see scorecard from cricbuzz and start trolling him for no reason. pic.twitter.com/I9YrglTBC7

— 𝗬𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗲𝗿 (@ImYorker93) November 22, 2025

Thanks to KL Rahul for SA crossing 50 without losing a wicket and make it first session boring.

Markaram wicket when he was playing on 4 could have changed the session in india favour.#INDvsSA

— Aakash Raj (@Aakashraj2208) November 22, 2025

Also READ: India vs South Africa 2025: Barsapara Stadium Pitch Report, Guwahati Weather Forecast for second Test

Bumrah gets Markram eventually, but opening partnership hurt India

Though Bumrah later returned to dismiss Markram for 38, the damage had already taken shape. By the time the Proteas opener edged one behind, he had helped build an 82-run opening stand—one that provided South Africa with an excellent platform and allowed them to control the tempo of the match.

Apart from that late breakthrough, India struggled to unsettle the visiting openers in the first session. Nitish Reddy, in particular, endured a mixed start, frequently straying onto the pads and conceding boundaries that released pressure.

Also READ: DC’s most expensive players at each IPL Auction: From KL Rahul to Yuvraj Singh

For latest cricket news & updates, visit CricketTimes.com.