"The lone warrior" "Never saved or won any match from losing position" - Fans give contrasting reactions to KL Rahul's 57 in Duleep Trophy
KL Rahul produced a fighting knock for India A in the Duleep Trophy match against India B at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Day 4 (Sunday, September 8). The wicketkeeper-batter scored 57 runs off 121 balls with the help of seven boundaries. The Karnataka batter was eventually caught behind by Rishabh Pant off Mukesh Kumar. Rahul had also scored 37 runs off 111 balls in the first innings with the help of four boundaries.
Rahul will now look to deliver in the upcoming Test season, where India will play 10 Tests from mid-September to early January 2025. Team India will begin their Test campaign with a two-match series against Bangladesh, which begins at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on September 19.
Notably, Rahul scored 86 and 22 runs in his last Test match, which came against England earlier this year. The 32-year-old sustained a quadriceps injury in the first of the five-match Test series, ruling him out for the remainder of it.
Fans on X came up with contrasting reactions to KL Rahul's half-century in the Duleep Trophy clash. One user wrote:
"KL Rahul - The lone warrior.- 57 (121) with 7 fours, stood out alone for India A in the run chase and scored a marvelous fifty. A quality knock by KL."
Another user wrote:
"A lone warrior for India A in the run chase, fantastic innings, Great confidence boost ahead of the Test season for Rahul."
Another user added:
"KL Rahul the leading run scorer for India A in both innings. He is coming to conquer India vs Bangladesh test series."
"Never saved or won any match from losing position like Pant at Gabba," one fan opined.
Here are a few more reactions:
KL Rahul’s half-century expected to be in vain as India B close in on victory
KL Rahul’s half-century is likely to end in vain as India B are on the verge of victory. At the time of writing, India A were 175/8, with Akash Deep and Avesh Khan at the crease.
They are chasing a target of 275 runs with 30 overs to spare in the match. Yash Dayal has been the pick of the bowlers, returning with figures of 3/45 so far in the innings.
Follow the Duleep Trophy live score and updates here.