Rahul’s Form, Injuries: India’s Issues Following Windies Whitewash

Here’s a look at the aspects that the Indian Test squad needs to be weary about, even after thrashing West Indies.

As expected, the Indian team faced no trouble in dismissing the West Indies in the two-match Test series. All batsmen, barring KL Rahul, made significant contributions and the bowlers backed up the batters by bundling out the visitors less than 200 in three occasions.

India won the first Test in Rajkot by an innings and 272 runs and the second Test by ten wickets. However, the team management still has a few issues to address before they head for their all-important tour of Australia in November.

KL Rahul’s Poor Form

KL Rahul, who had an excellent IPL this year, hasn’t been able to replicate his form in the international arena. The Karnataka batsman has managed just 420 runs in 10 Tests this year, at an average of 24.70.

Things seemed to have finally come into place for the opener when he slammed 149 in the final Test against England, but against a meagre West Indian bowling attack, Rahul managed scores of 0, 4 and 33*.

If the 149-run innings is taken away from his tally, Rahul has scored 271 runs at an average of 15.94 in 17 innings this year.

Rahul, who made his Test debut in Australia in 2014, has to find a way to start batting to his potential very quickly.

Letting the Game Drift

One of the key reasons for India to lose a couple of close Tests in England was that the team failed to capitalise when they were in strong positions. In the first Test, India had reduced the home side to 87/7 (second innings). Instead of the wrapping up the innings quickly, they let them post a total of 180 runs, which was the difference between the two sides.

In the fourth Test, India had reduced England to 86/6 (first innings), but even then, England managed to wriggle out of trouble and post a respectable total of 246.

This issue continued to bother India in the home series against West Indies as well. The visitors were reduced to 113/5 in the first innings of the second Test, but the sixth and seventh wicket partnerships added 173 to the eventual total of 311 runs.

The Indian team management and especially skipper Virat Kohli will have to ensure that the side capitalises on the strong moments in order to win Test matches consistently.

Curious Case of Injuries

Speedster Shardul Thakur had to walk off the field after bowling only ten deliveries on his Test debut against West Indies due to a groin injury. The 26-year-old, who warmed the bench during all the five Tests in England, met with a terrible fate during the second Test.

The important thing to note is that this has been a trend in the Indian team since the tour of England. Fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah had to miss the T20 series, ODI series and the first two Tests against England due to a thumb injury. Bhuvneshwar Kumar missed the entire Test series against England due to a back injury.

The team management will have to weary about this trend and ensure that key players are fit and ready to go when the side plays against big teams like England and Australia.