Team India found themselves in a challenging situation on Day 2 of the first Test against New Zealand at Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. The opening day was washed out due to rain, but play finally began on the second day, with India opting to bat first despite overcast conditions. The decision backfired as New Zealand’s pacers dismantled the Indian top order, leaving the hosts reeling.

Top order collapse: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Sarfaraz Khan dismissed cheaply

The Indian innings got off to a shaky start when skipper Rohit Sharma was dismissed for just 2 runs. Following him, both Virat Kohli and Sarfaraz Khan registered ducks, compounding India’s woes. The top-order collapse put immense pressure on the middle order, as India struggled to find stability.

KL Rahul fails to deliver on home ground

As India tried to recover, local boy KL Rahul came to the crease, hoping to stabilize the innings alongside the likes of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant. Given that Chinnaswamy is his home ground, fans had high expectations for Rahul. However, he failed to deliver, playing six deliveries without scoring before being dismissed by New Zealand pacer William O’Rourke.

During the 23rd over, with leg slip and short leg in place, O’Rourke bowled a slightly fuller delivery down the leg side. Rahul, desperate to get off the mark, played a tentative glance, only to edge it to the keeper, resulting in his dismissal for a 6-ball duck. The wicket added to India’s misery, leaving fans disappointed and frustrated.

Also WATCH – IND vs NZ: Tim Southee dismisses Rohit Sharma with a peach of a delivery on Day 2 of the first Test

Frustrated fans take to social media to vent against Rahul

The poor performance by Rahul, especially on his home ground, did not sit well with fans. Many took to X to express their disappointment and anger, trolling the Indian batter for failing to step up when the team needed him the most. The wave of criticism highlighted the fans’ growing frustration over Rahul’s inconsistent form.

Here is how fans reacted:

No eggs in mid-day meal. So they distributed it among Indian batters.

Kohli 0 (9)
Sarfaraz 0 (3)
KL Rahul 0 (6)
Jadeja 0 (6)

— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) October 17, 2024

Rohit
Kohli
Sarfaraz
Jaiswal
KL Rahul #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/syukdJyg9E

— Raja Babu (@GaurangBhardwa1) October 17, 2024

KL Rahul dismissed for a 6 ball duck.

– INDIA 33/5. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/ky7LUYxUhA

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) October 17, 2024

Isse toh accha hai, Baarish hi karwa lo Bhagwan 🙏🏼

After Rohit Sharma and #ViratKohli𓃵 Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul also dismiss
Now all eyes are on Rishabh Pant#INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/D4QpmnSC1H

— Artistic Soul (@dr_artisticsoul) October 17, 2024

The coach who taught cricket to KL Rahul in his childhood shouldn’t go unpunished.

— Karan (@karannpatelll) October 17, 2024

KL Rahul: https://t.co/iO8fU8J4kR pic.twitter.com/rMkwz8OV2j

— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) October 17, 2024

KL Rahul after playing a bad shot #INDvNZ #INDvsNZ pic.twitter.com/5y5oaWEyes

— Jason (@jdnats) October 17, 2024

Few players might disappoint on some days but kl Rahul disappoints everyday.

— Dhakkan Rice (@Sahil_Adhikaari) October 17, 2024

I think Indian cricket team management should take tough calls like Pakistan cricket board and drop Virat Kohli and KL Rahul.

— ` (@FourOverthrows) October 17, 2024

“Kl Rahul” is most useless batsman ever produced by Team India , he never hung in the pitch when Team mostly needed , he always got out cheaply #INDvsNZ #KLRahul

— Anil Kashyap (@cidqwert) October 17, 2024

@BCCI How is @klrahul given so many chances with series by series NO Performance.
Many others are benched and their important years are being wasted.

Aaisa Kaunsa Reference hai, Kiski KRUPA hai ?

— Malav G Desai (@malav_g) October 17, 2024

Also READ: Fans troll Virat Kohli as the Indian batter goes for a 9-ball duck in Bengaluru Test against New Zealand

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