India’s national cricket team got off to a disappointing start while chasing the challenging and record target of 549 runs against South Africa at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati. Indian openers KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal failed to give the hosts the desired start on the fourth day.
After Marco Jansen dismissed Jaiswal for 13, KL Rahul made a mistake under pressure and lost his wicket to Proteas spinner Simon Harmer early in the innings at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium. Simon Harmer bowled the ball outside off, prompting Rahul to move forward.
KL Rahul fails again as India slip to 21/2 against South Africa in Guwahati
The ball spun quickly off the pitch and Rahul misjudged it while attempting a sharp shot across the line. The ball missed the bat completely and hit the stumps, causing the bails to fly out. The right-handed batsman was out for just 6 runs, leaving India in trouble at 21 for 2.
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Even in the first innings, Rahul was dismissed by South African spinner Keshav Maharaj in Guwahati after scoring 22 runs in 63 balls. The Karnataka batsman has been one of the biggest disappointments for India in the ongoing two-match Test series against South Africa.
He could score only 39 and 1 during the team’s crushing 30-run defeat in the first Test against the Proteas at Eden Gardens and now in Guwahati he has once again disappointed his team. Before the South Africa Test series, Rahul had a poor tour of Australia and scored 11 and 38 in the two ODIs.
KL Rahul faces fans’ anger after another poor performance
Even against South Africa A, the middle-order batsman could not score more than 50 runs in both the innings. Although Rahul scored a half-century and a century against West Indies, his inconsistent performance in white is slowly becoming a headache for the Indian team.
After another flop show in White, fans are criticizing Rahul for not stepping up to become a senior player in this difficult situation. Many questioned his place in India’s Test XI, while some suggested him to retire from the format to make room for a deserving player.
Also read: Suresh Raina gives clean chit to Gautam Gambhir for India’s Test defeat, blames…
Here is how fans reacted to KL Rahul’s flop show in the Guwahati Test:
• Tech God
• The man, the myth, the legendKL Rahul 15.0 Fails once again. Never expect KL Rahul to play for India in the month of November. pic.twitter.com/qfUZ0RgX7d
– 𝐻𝟣𝟩 (@rishabhhive) 25 November 2025
Specialist batsman KL Rahul – 35 bat average,
Bowling AR Ravindra Jadeja – 38 Bat Average– One of the greatest Indian cricket parchies in history. Not a single test batsman could last 50+ test matches with a batting average of 35 and KL has played 67 matches and Agarkar still won’t leave them!
– Rajeev (@Rajeev1841) 25 November 2025
KL Rahul in T20
KL Rahul in test
KL Rahul in India
KL Rahul out of India
KL Rahul in RCB
KL Rahul in LSG and DC
KL Rahul in knockout
KL Rahul in the final pic.twitter.com/3QhLwovwPl– Sapphire⁴⁵ (@EpicRohit45) 25 November 2025
KL Rahul is one of the worst batsmen India has ever produced, his face is busy 24×7.
– Dr. Ashish Yd (@chinmocho) 25 November 2025
can’t bat
can’t fieldWhy is KL Rahul playing in the test team?pic.twitter.com/zfmibGmNav
– Harshit (@I_am_Harshit_17) 25 November 2025
Five reasons why KL Rahul should retire from Test cricket:
• Weak vs spinner
• Weak vs fast bowling
• No intention to score
• Daddy never scores a century
• Many youth are still waiting because of him pic.twitter.com/5ThMMdEPmG-Saurabh (@rajesh_3456) 25 November 2025
A country where KL Rahul is considered the top cricketer playing for the country can never be serious about its game.
(@finehaihum) 24 November 2025
For someone like KL Rahul to have an average of 35 after 67 Tests doesn’t sit well with me. Brother is a much better batsman than that number. pic.twitter.com/9xz2TEN1xq
– Heisenberg (@internetumpire) 25 November 2025
Veteran KL Rahul is in his favorite position in the series against South Africa in his 69.0 version
Run- 68
Innings – 4
Average – 17The biggest fraud ever in Indian cricket
– Saksham Garg (@sakshamgarg45) 25 November 2025
KL Rahul’s 100.0 version fails again.
This Parchi is averaging 35 and is still playing test cricket for India while we have better players waiting outside, yet no one says a word against him. pic.twitter.com/DdGe1QeXTJ
– Rohan (@rohann__45) 25 November 2025
Interesting statement from Dinesh Karthik, who mentioned the lack of intention in dismissing KL Rahul, which is also correct.
When you try too hard to protect yourself, you become insecure. The wicket is not lethal, and if you are determined you can easily face 100-150 balls.
– Rajesh Nair (@irajeeshnair) 25 November 2025
KL Rahul is the most inconsistent and the most talented, Jack Crawley is one such batsman in the current situation
You can’t rely on both of them and they might produce one or two magical innings in between.#INDvsSA #AUSvsENG
– Suresh Pande (@surepande) 25 November 2025
ODI captain too @bcci And Gambhir will be proud of KL Rahul, Pant’s performance today!
– VJ Shankar (@VJrajaShankar) 25 November 2025
Luckily KL Rahul missed a few home tests otherwise his average would have been in the late 20s
– Shreya (@Pshrayass) 25 November 2025
KL Rahul is ready to lead India in South Africa ODI on the basis of solid captaincy record
After the ongoing Test series, Rahul will lead the Indian cricket team in the upcoming three-match ODI series against South Africa starting November 30 in Ranchi after regular captain Shubman Gill has been ruled out of the series due to a neck injury.
Rahul has captained India 12 times in ODIs, winning eight times and losing four times. In Tests, Rahul has led India thrice, winning twice and losing once, while he has captained the team only once and won in T20Is.