KL Rahul running out of time as inconsistency draws strong warning

Former India batter Robin Uthappa has issued a stern caution to KL Rahul following his disappointing performance in the recent two-Test series against South Africa. Rahul endured a tough outing, managing only 68 runs across four innings at an average of 17, with 39 being his highest score.

As the most experienced batter in the absence of Shubman Gill—who missed the series due to a neck injury—Rahul failed to step up. This dip in form came despite his strong run in England and commendable display against the West Indies earlier. His struggles against the Proteas contributed to India’s 0-2 whitewash.

Uthappa warned that the team management’s patience may soon wear thin if Rahul doesn’t deliver consistent performances.

“Even as a senior player, this puts him in a vulnerable position. His performance is crucial for his own place in the side. One more series like this—this one was clearly a poor one—and the management could run out of patience,” Uthappa said on his YouTube channel.

He also acknowledged the challenges Rahul has faced due to constant changes in batting positions and roles within the Test setup.

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“KL has had to deal with inconsistencies and frequent positional shifts. The fact that he’s still managed to stack up decent numbers despite being moved around is remarkable. He has endured a lot in Test cricket,” he added.

Despite having played 67 Tests, Rahul’s average remains just above 35—a number many consider below expectations for someone of his skill and experience. His latest struggles have once again raised concerns about his inability to turn starts into big scores.

With India suffering a second home series defeat in 12 months and Test leadership transitioning under Shubman Gill, selectors are expected to demand more reliability from senior players. The upcoming series could be decisive for Rahul, as India seeks stability during one of its most challenging phases in recent Test history.