KL Rahul’s habit of getting out cheaply continued when he was bowled for 2 early in India’s second innings against Sri Lanka in the deciding third Test at Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC), Colombo. Rahul had failed in both innings at Galle before scoring a century in the first innings of the second Test at P Sara Stadium (PSS), Colombo, offering a reminder of his considerable talent. However, his inconsistency is a worrying aspect that needs to be dealt with. Even his fielding at slip showed shades of the familiar irregularity; he took some sharp catches but fluffed fairly straightforward ones on other occasions. Shiamak Unwalla feels Rahul has immense potential but lacks the consistency needed to prosper in Test cricket. Cricket Scorecard: India vs Sri Lanka, 3rd Test at Colombo (SSC)
One of the most embarrassing ways of getting out — especially for an opening batsman — is by shouldering arms and getting out either LBW or bowled. It makes the batsman look quite foolish, and also makes the bowler look good. Most good batsmen suffer this fate very rarely, and it is rarely repeated. READ: India 21/3 against Sri Lanka, lead by 132 at stumps on Day 3 of 3rd Test at Colombo (SSC)
KL Rahul shouldered arms to Dhammika Prasad in the first innings and Nuwan Pradeep in the second. On both occasions the ball jagged in enough to shatter the stumps. Curiously, Rahul was out for a two-ball 2 on each occasion. Rahul has batted in six innings this series. When he scored 108 at PSS, he looked in complete control of the game. In the other five innings, he never looked set. READ: Cheteshwar Pujara emulates Rahul Dravid, Virender Sehwag, Sunil Gavaskar in India vs Sri Lanka, 3rd Test
It is this irregularity that is a concern. Rahul gives the impression of not quite being sure of himself or of his game yet. The fact that he got bowled shouldering arms twice in the same match shows that he is not sure where his off stump is despite having scored a century in the last match. Even his fielding at slip showed the same levels of unevenness. READ: Cheteshwar Pujara’s century could push Rohit Sharma out
Ishant Sharma managed to induce an edge from Upul Tharanga in the very first over of Sri Lanka’s innings, but Rahul put down a fairly easy catch by diving in front of the man at first slip. The ball would have carried, but Rahul took the extra effort to dive across. The ball was taken securely, but popped out once his elbows hit the ground. Rahul made up for it by catching Tharanga off Ishant for 4, so no harm was done. READ: Pujara digs out his value again
After that, Rahul took the catch of Dimuth Karunaratne for 11 off the bowling of Stuart Binny. It was a fairly easy chance, and Rahul made no mistakes. He was soon in the action again, diving in front of first slip yet again and accepting the catch of Lahiru Thirimanne, who was out for a duck. However, he soon dropped his second catch, snaffling one when Kusal Perera was on 9 (who went on to score 55). Rahul once again dove across first slip but dropped a catch that would have been straightforward. READ: KL Rahul could do a Rahul Dravid and help balance the side by keeping wickets for India
There is no doubting the fact that Rahul is a hugely talented cricketer, but he needs to work out the still considerable chinks in his armour. He has shown that he has the class needed to succeed at Test cricket, but his temperament could still be honed. Till he can figure out his own game entirely, he will be doomed to the inevitable failures of mediocrity despite having the ability to reach the sublime. READ: Virat Kohli’s first win as Test captain vindicates ‘aggressive’ approach
(Shiamak Unwalla, a reporter with CricketCountry, is a self-confessed Sci-Fi geek who loves cricket more than cricketers. His Twitter handle is @ShiamakUnwalla)
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