The Indian team management eventually decided to drop KL Rahul for the 3rd Test match against Australia played at Holkar Stadium, Indore on 1 March 2023. He was removed from the vice-captaincy post before the 3rd Test match at Indore.
Rahul has been in poor form during the first two Test matches played at Nagpur and New Delhi. He lacked the confidence being caught and bowled by Todd Murphy in the first innings of the first Test at Nagpur. Rahul was dismissed by Nathan Lyon in both innings of the 2nd Test at Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi.
Indian captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and decided to bat first at Indore. Rohit survived two DRS calls that Australian captain Steve Smith decided not to review it. Shubman Gill looked impressive with his attacking shots keeping pressure on Australian bowling. Matt Kuhnemann struck in his first over dismissing Rohit Sharma with an easy stumping by Alex Carey.
Shubman Gill showed intent but fell to a lovely delivery by Kuhnemann with a simple catch to Steve Smith at slips. Nathan Lyon grabbed the wicket of Cheteshwar Pujara turning square. Ravindra Jadeja was promoted ahead of Shreyas Iyer and could not contribute many runs.
Virat Kohli looked impressive with his defensive technique. The Australian spinners created havoc among the Indian batters taking wickets at regular intervals. Nathan Lyon took the wicket of Ravindra Jadeja after surviving a DRS call. Kuhnemann struck again getting rid of Shreyas Iyer to leave India in big trouble.
Virat Kohli and KS Bharat provided some resistance to the team before Todd Murphy dismissed Virat Kohli. Nathan Lyon got rid of KS Bharat via review leaving India in deep trouble. Axar Patel looked impressive with his defensive technique. India ended the first session at 84 for 7 with Axar and R Ashwin at the crease.
Here is how Twitterati reacted to the omission of KL Rahul:
Shubman Gill replaces KL Rahul in 3rd tes
Venkatesh Prasad: pic.twitter.com/49PRwz6l1X
— Pulkit🇮🇳 (@pulkit5Dx) March 1, 2023
Shubman Gill replaces KL Rahul in 3rd test cricket match 🔥
Venkatesh Prasad & fans be like😅#INDvAUS #Indoretest #BGT2023 pic.twitter.com/qSb7mwYHn0
— Ashutosh Srivastava 🇮🇳 (@sri_ashutosh08) March 1, 2023
*Shubman Gill replaced KL Rahul*
Le Vankatesh Prasad pic.twitter.com/bOmq4O1Vqb— chiku (@va_nshbaba) March 1, 2023
Kl Rahul Dropped
Venkatesh prasad right now 😂 #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/FZrGINKeL3
— Cricpedia (@_Cricpedia) March 1, 2023
Venkatesh Prasad after knowing that KL Rahul was dropped in today's match pic.twitter.com/ULQSQX8fCs
— ಭಲೇ ಬಸವ (@Basavachethanah) March 1, 2023
Take your time, recharge and comeback stronger champ @klrahul
We love you, KL Rahul. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/DZZW4uu56G
— Kunal Yadav (@kunaalyaadav) March 1, 2023
Shubman Gill and Umesh Yadav have replaced KL Rahul and Mohammad Shami.
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) March 1, 2023
So was it all about the vice-captain tag for KL Rahul?
For right or wrong, Virat Kohli (and coach Ravi Shastri) atleast had the balls to drop the vice-captain as it should be (Rahane in SA 2018, wrong call imho but different debate).
Performance matters more than tags. #IndvAus
— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) March 1, 2023
I think Rohit and Dravid have done really well in handling KL Rahul here.
1. They backed him for two matches
2. Dropped him for Gill when things didn't work.
3. Surely they will have had a conversation to ensure Rahul doesn't feel disheartened
— Anuj Nitin Prabhu 🏏 (@APTalksCricket) March 1, 2023
Shubman Gill playing in the third test match replacing KL Rahul
Venkatesh Prasad: pic.twitter.com/u56bAp6tns— Sajcasm (@sajcasm_) March 1, 2023
Dear KL Rahul, Sometimes trough takes you to the places crest can never even think of…. You've been a champion, take your time, think positively and grind out harder. ❤
Make a stronger comeback KL.👍#INDvAUS • @klrahul pic.twitter.com/qijaDeKqrl
— 𝐒𝐚𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐡 𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐢 (@SaurabhTripathS) March 1, 2023
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