"Relax, KL Rahul will attack in IPL 2023"- Fans roast Indian vice-captain after another failure in Asia Cup 2022

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Team India vice-captain KL Rahul has sunk further under pressure as his uncharacteristic knock of 36 (39) against Hong Kong on Wednesday (August 31) received a lot of backlash from the fans.

Rahul was dismissed for a golden duck in the previous game against Pakistan. Many felt that Hong Kong could be just the perfect opposition for him to get back into form.

However, the vice-captain looked far from comfortable at the crease and failed to find the middle of his bat for most of his innings. The Hong Kong bowlers stuck to a disciplined line and length and ensured that both KL Rahul and Virat Kohli couldn't press the accelerator.

Fans on Twitter slammed the vice-captain for not making the most of another opportunity while the likes of Rishabh Pant are waiting in the wings. They also feel that such a conservative approach is against the Men in Blue's template of committing to attacking cricket.

Here are some of the reactions:

Cpt KSHITIJ PANDEY

@dr_fluffy_

Kl Rahul needs to play out of the box now , because the innings which he played today is not at all acceptable and this is the first time I’ve seen him play such an innings for ICT , This innings was an exact opposite example of what his batting looks like .

#AsiaCupT20

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Kl Rahul needs to play out of the box now , because the innings which he played today is not at all acceptable and this is the first time I’ve seen him play such an innings for ICT , This innings was an exact opposite example of what his batting looks like .

#AsiaCupT20

Shivani

@meme_ki_diwani

#IndvsHkg
Relax KL Rahul will attack in IPL 2023

1001

89

#IndvsHkg
Relax KL Rahul will attack in IPL 2023 https://t.co/UCnMjIQtDq

KL Rahul's TukTuk Academy

@TukTuk_Academy

KL Rahul on work that too against Hong Kong, setting such level of bars for upcoming youngsters
KL Rahul the true ambassador of Academy 🥰 #INDvHK

3746

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KL Rahul on work that too against Hong Kong, setting such level of bars for upcoming youngsters 😳 😱
KL Rahul the true ambassador of Academy 🥰❤️ #INDvHK

Venkatesh Prasad

@venkateshprasad

Is there something in the pitch that is not visible. Simply can't fathom this approach especially from KL Rahul. #IndvsHkg

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526

Is there something in the pitch that is not visible. Simply can't fathom this approach especially from KL Rahul. #IndvsHkg

Rahul Pandey

@sportstoryguy

'glorified net session', eh?

#IndvsHkg

20

4

'glorified net session', eh?

#IndvsHkg https://t.co/iy4L9zW1Fr

Abhishek Ojha

@vicharabhio

Had those 39 balls played by KL Rahul been distributed equally amongst Pant, Karthik and Jadeja.

They would have scored 26(13), 25(13) and 23(13) respectively with their ideal approach.

26+25+23 = 74 > 36.

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Had those 39 balls played by KL Rahul been distributed equally amongst Pant, Karthik and Jadeja.

They would have scored 26(13), 25(13) and 23(13) respectively with their ideal approach.

26+25+23 = 74 > 36.

Ethereal Rohit⁴⁵ 𓃵

@EtherealRohit

Great knock by KL Rahul ‍♂️

326

50

Great knock by KL Rahul 🔥🔥🙇‍♂️ https://t.co/HKzQhDfxVC

Amey Pethkar

@ameypethkar9

- One big shot in the PP off a free hit.
- Max 3 to 4 big shots in the 39 deliveries he faced.
- Scores of 1, 30, 0, 36 ever his return.

No doubt he's a fine player but he certainly doesn't look at his best. Maybe just open with Pant who's been in form?

#AsiaCup2022 #INDvHK

2

- One big shot in the PP off a free hit.
- Max 3 to 4 big shots in the 39 deliveries he faced.
- Scores of 1, 30, 0, 36 ever his return.

No doubt he's a fine player but he certainly doesn't look at his best. Maybe just open with Pant who's been in form?

#AsiaCup2022 #INDvHK

Abhishek Ojha

@vicharabhio

Sanjay Bangar in Hindi commentary, "Bohot shandaar yojna bana ke khel rahe hain KL Rahul pehle six maarte he phir single".

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Sanjay Bangar in Hindi commentary, "Bohot shandaar yojna bana ke khel rahe hain KL Rahul pehle six maarte he phir single".

🙏🙏

Gurkirat Singh Gill

@gurkiratsgill

I remember the kind of criticism that I used to get for pointing out KL's approach in IPL 2020 & 2021. At that time, it was being said it's due to Kumble. This season as well we saw what happened. And now the same is happening here in India's colours. So frustrating really. twitter.com/gurkiratsgill/…

Gurkirat Singh Gill

@gurkiratsgill

You have to feel for Kumble for copping so much of unnecessary criticism for KL's batting approach for the last 2 seasons.

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You have to feel for Kumble for copping so much of unnecessary criticism for KL's batting approach for the last 2 seasons.

I remember the kind of criticism that I used to get for pointing out KL's approach in IPL 2020 & 2021. At that time, it was being said it's due to Kumble. This season as well we saw what happened. And now the same is happening here in India's colours. So frustrating really. twitter.com/gurkiratsgill/…

Himanshu

@Spread__hate

BCCI chose statpadder KL Rahul in place of Prithvi Shaw in the Indian team.

816

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BCCI chose statpadder KL Rahul in place of Prithvi Shaw in the Indian team. https://t.co/yTglIVE7oN

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@good___water

@mufaddal_vohra Who is KL Rahul?

In mathematics, a problem.

In Biology, a dolphin.

In Science, an atom.

In history, a myth.

In Music, BTS.

In short, KL Rahul is finished.

508

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@mufaddal_vohra Who is KL Rahul?

In mathematics, a problem.

In Biology, a dolphin.

In Science, an atom.

In history, a myth.

In Music, BTS.

In short, KL Rahul is finished.

Gurkirat Singh Gill

@gurkiratsgill

16 off 20 in the PP would have been poor even on the kind of pitch which Sharjah has, let alone here in Dubai.

And I am not even getting into the opposition that is there. Such poor mindset. Don't have anything left to say.

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16 off 20 in the PP would have been poor even on the kind of pitch which Sharjah has, let alone here in Dubai.

And I am not even getting into the opposition that is there. Such poor mindset. Don't have anything left to say.

Slog Sweep-189

@SloggSweep

KL jaisa selfish and mentally weak player hamare team ka vice captain hai and log usko bada player bhi maante hai shows we are obsessed with runs not with impact .

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KL jaisa selfish and mentally weak player hamare team ka vice captain hai and log usko bada player bhi maante hai shows we are obsessed with runs not with impact .

The Joker (Perry's version)

@Jokeresque_

KL Rahul has potential to play like Buttler but chooses to play like Kane

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KL Rahul has potential to play like Buttler but chooses to play like Kane

Not Daniel Alexander

@_UnrealDaniel

Rahul Dravid showing KL Rahul what a T20 innings looks like

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Rahul Dravid showing KL Rahul what a T20 innings looks like https://t.co/O6aePRrA0E

Haris🔌

@Hariszz77

Kl rahul has silenced his critics with a fantastic knock of 36 with 2 sixes

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Kl rahul has silenced his critics with a fantastic knock of 36 with 2 sixes https://t.co/4Q4r49BlOu

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Suryakumar Yadav's blitz saved India's innings

Rohit Sharma and Rahul initially got off to a cautious start, but the captain began to take more chances against the bowlers with field restrictions in play. After Rohit was dismissed, it looked like his deputy would allow Kohli to settle and take the game forward.

However, it was a combination of the Hong Kong bowlers executing their plans perfectly and the two senior batters not showing the required intent that resulted in a slow run rate. Rahul took 39 balls for his 36 and when he was dismissed, it looked like Team India would struggle to reach even 160.

However, Suryakumar Yadav walked out to bat and changed the complexion of the Indian innings in just a few deliveries. The swashbuckling right-hander flew out of the blocks and showed that there were perhaps no demons in the pitch.

Yadav's impetus helped Kohli accelerate and India ended up on an incredible 192/2 with the duo adding a staggering 98 runs in just 42 balls. Hong Kong might need to bat out of their skins to pull off an incredible win. At the time of writing, Hong Kong were 78/3 after 12 overs.

Check out who is at the top of the most wickets in Asia Cup table here.

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