Under scrutiny, Team India opener KL Rahul visited Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain on Wednesday along with his wife Athiya Shetty. The newly wedded couple were caught on camera, offering prayer to Lord Shiva among many other civilians.

It, however, remains to be seen if Rahul retains his place for the third Test in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which gets underway in Indore from March 1.

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KL Rahul’s slump in form

In his last 10 innings across the format, Rahul has scored only 125 runs, averaging less than 35.

In the ongoing India-Australia series, his inclusion as the team opener over in form Shubman Gill has been questioned by many. As a result, he was stripped off as the vice-captain of the Indian Test team. It is likely that Gill will replace him in the upcoming match.

In three innings so far in the 2023 Border Gavaskar Trophy, Rahul has returns of 20, 17 and 1.

“No top order batsman in atleast last 20 years of Indian cricket has played these many tests with such a low average. His inclusion is deliberately denying talented guys, in form guys an opportunity to be in the 11. Shikhar had a test avg of 40+ , Mayank has of 41+ with 2 double hundreds, Shubhman Gill in sublime form, Sarfaraz never ending wait.. Many domestic performances constantly ignored.” former India fast bowler Venkatesh Prasad had said of Rahul’s form.