Jaffer’s statement comes after the recent selection of the Indian cricket team for the upcoming ODI series against Sri Lanka. Suryakumar Yadav, who had a strong performance in the recently concluded T20I series, was left out.
Jaffer explained that apart from Rahul’s lack of consistency, his presence in the team is also keeping big names like Suryakumar Yadav out of the ODI playing XI.
“When the bat doesn’t perform, you’re going to catch the eye. He (Rahul) hasn’t been in great form recently, so every innings of his is going to be scrutinized since Suryakumar Yadav is sitting out,” Jaffer said.
Despite Rahul’s series-winning fifty against Sri Lanka in Kolkata, Jaffer feels that the right-handed batter will remain under the scanner for a couple of key reasons. Before his half-century, Rahul had only scored one fifty in his previous nine international innings. He was dismissed for 39 in the first ODI against Sri Lanka.
Jaffer termed Rahul a class player but also highlighted that the player hasn’t lived up to his expectations on bigger occasions. “On bigger occasions, he hasn’t lived up to expectations,” Jaffer said.
It remains to be seen how KL Rahul will perform in the upcoming third ODI match against Sri Lanka. However, Jaffer’s statement highlights the added pressure that the Indian cricketer will be under due to the absence of Suryakumar Yadav. This is because he needs to prove his consistency in the team if the BCCI is planning to consider him for the forthcoming ODI World Cup 2023.