Former India batter Robin Uthappa has issued a sharp warning to KL Rahul, who endured a disappointing run in the recent two-match Test series against South Africa. Rahul, one of the senior-most batters in the squad, struggled throughout the series and finished with just 68 runs in four innings, averaging a mere 17, with 39 being his highest score.
In the absence of Shubman Gill, who missed the entire series due to a neck injury, Rahul was expected to anchor India’s fragile batting unit. Coming off impressive performances in England and continuing that form against the West Indies, expectations were high. But against the Proteas, Rahul looked out of rhythm and failed to provide the stability the team desperately needed, eventually contributing to India’s 0-2 whitewash.
Taking note of Rahul’s repeated inconsistencies, Uthappa didn’t hold back. Speaking on his YouTube channel, he cautioned that the team management may soon lose patience if Rahul doesn’t show immediate improvement.
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“Even as a senior pro, this leaves him in a position of weakness. His performance for his own spot is vital for his cricket. I’m telling you, one more series like this—another middling performance—and they will run out of patience with him,” Robin Uthappa warned.
Uthappa, however, acknowledged the difficulties Rahul has faced in Test cricket, including his frequent shifts in batting position and squad roles.
“For whatever reason, KL has had to deal with inconsistencies and constant movement across batting positions. For me, the fact that he has still managed to stack up numbers despite being moved around so much is phenomenal. He has endured a lot within the Test format,” he added.
Despite playing 67 Test matches, Rahul’s average hovers just above 35, a statistic that many feel does not justify his experience or natural talent. His inability to convert starts into match-defining innings has resurfaced yet again, and the poor outing in South Africa has intensified debates around his long-term place in the red-ball setup.
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The selectors’ faith in Rahul has been repeatedly tested, especially after India suffered their second Test series loss at home in the past 12 months. With India’s leadership transitioning under Shubman Gill, the demands on senior batters are higher than ever.
As the team navigates one of its more challenging phases in recent Test history, the upcoming series could be crucial—not just for India’s revival, but for KL Rahul’s future in the longest format. If he fails to deliver soon, the pressure from both management and emerging players may finally force a decisive call.
