#IndiaInAustralia: Sanjay Bangar miffed with KL Rahul and his form
What's the story
KL Rahul is going through a rough patch across formats, this season.
Ahead of India's four-match Test series against Australia starting December 6, India are facing a big issue as far as the opening slots are concerned.
In the tour match against Cricket Australia XI, Rahul was dismissed for 3 which angered batting coach Sanjay Bangar.
Here's what he said about Rahul.
Stats
Rahul averages only 24.70 in Tests in 2018
Rahul has played 10 Tests this year. In these matches, he has only managed to score 420 runs.
His average is 24.70 and across 18 innings, he has slammed just one ton and a fifty.
This shows that the player has been struggling with his form.
India have backed him all along, but the management could be running out of patience now.
Words
'KL Rahul finding new ways to get out'
Rahul was driving on the up, as he found the fielder stationed at mid-off in the sixth over of the day against Cricket Australia XI.
Every other batsmen was able to counter bowlers, but Rahul once again failed.
On his performance, Bangar said, "He has been looking in good shape, including today, it is just that he is finding new ways to get out."
Quote
Rahul isn't a young player anymore: Bangar
"He is not a young player anymore and he is on his second tour here. He has played 30 Tests and he has a responsibility. We expect him to play with that responsibility and play his role for the team."
Dismissals
Rahul's mode of dismissals suggest a pattern
Rahul played all Tests in England this year and got bowled on four occasions.
He was adjudged LBW thrice in that series.
Against West Indies, the woes continued.
He was dismissed LBW in Rajkot and then got bowled in Hyderabad.
There is a pattern in the way he has suffered.
There is a technical glitch in his approach and that continues to haunt him.
Failure
Rahul has failed to get going
Be it home or away, Rahul has failed to get going.
In the away Test series in South Africa, he managed just 30 runs from 2 Tests.
In England, Rahul's dismal form continued and he scored only 299 runs in 10 innings, with a ton included in that.
Against West Indies at home, he managed a paltry 37 runs in 3 innings.
Views
Bangar had backed Rahul last month
Rahul is a part of Indian squad across all three formats and Bangar noted that it is crucial for the management to invest in such players.
"He is somebody who is part of all other formats as well, so I think that from a team management point of view we will back players who are capable of winning matches," he said.