India enter the final stretch of the longest home season in almost 3 decades. Having won 8 out of the 9 games this season, India has hardly looked troubled; they look invincible at home, at the moment. In fact, India hasn’t lost a single Test at home since the 2012-13 series against England, and have been unbeaten in 19 previous Tests. Virat Kohli and his men have been near perfect and would no doubt look to cover any chinks in their armour ahead of the 4 Test matches against Australia.

KL Rahul, who made his debut against the Aussies a little over 2 years ago, would especially be raring to go and finish the season on a high. His short career has already been marred with injuries, missing 9 off the 22 Tests India played since his debut. He is India’s first choice to partner Murali Vijay to open the innings for India in Tests according to his captain and coach. At 24, it’s quite a confidence booster when you get such backing so early in your career.

To his credit, Rahul has had a decent start to his career so far, averaging 38.42 in 13 Tests with 4 centuries and a solitary half-century. What is worrying, though, is his inconsistency. His scores are, in their own way, binary: he either makes hundreds or gets out pretty cheaply.

In the 5 games he’s played this season, Rahul has scored 315 runs @ 39.37 in 8 innings. This includes the heart breaking dismissal on 199 vs England. In the remaining 7 innings, he managed to score only 116 runs. Of the Indian batsmen who’ve played this home season, KL Rahul has one of the lowest averages.

Kohli has preferred playing 5 bowlers most of this season and by the looks of it, will continue to do so. That leaves a lot to be asked from the batters. Kohli and Pujara both have been in excellent form and have done majority of the scoring. Rahane and Vijay haven’t done too badly, both scoring crucial centuries and chipping in whenever the team needed them. With Rohit Sharma (currently injured) and Karun Nair both waiting for an opportunity to make it back into the playing XI, the ball is surely in Rahul’s court.

India’s opening partnership has been quite worrisome. While most of the middle order is averaging in the mid-50s, the opening wicket averages a paltry 31. Only the last two wickets average worse than the openers.

The team management will aim to improve these numbers if they want to continue the golden run they are currently enjoying. Rahul will feel the pressure, as he has the tendency to get out early quite frequently. In 21 Test innings so far, Rahul has gotten out below 50 a staggering 16 times, crossing the 25 run mark only 7 times, i.e. 67% of the time, he has gotten out below the score of 25.

The numbers are glaring. India’s next Test assignment will be touring South Africa later this year. Considering Australia, New Zealand and England have all toured India this season, India will be touring them too soon enough. KL Rahul must convert his chances before India start looking for other options, yet again.

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