KL Rahul's mysterious bowing gesture on Bengaluru pitch sparks speculation about his future with Team India

Rahul's performance in the first innings was extremely disappointing, as he was one of five Indian batters who were dismissed for a duck in a dismal total of just 46 runs. This lackluster showing was even more surprising considering the remarkable recovery made by the hosts in the second innings, with Sarfaraz Khan's century leading the charge. In contrast to his teammates, Rahul failed to make an impact in the second innings, being the only top-six batter who did not manage to score more than 30 runs.

As India gear up for the second Test in Pune on October 24, the return of Shubman Gill adds another layer to the selection dilemma, intensifying the debate over the ideal batting order.

The moment captured after the Bengaluru Test, where KL Rahul was seen touching the pitch in a gesture of respect, has added to suspense over his place in the side. The internet was full of speculations surrounding the gesture, with many believing that the Indian batter might be dropped for the second Test.

While he has produced some memorable performances outside Asia, including a century at Lord's and two tons in Centurion, his overall Test record remains concerning, with just 2,891 runs in 53 matches at an average of 33.88.

As he navigates his evolving role—transitioning from an opener to a middle-order batter after a stint as a wicketkeeper during the South Africa tour—Rahul's adaptability is crucial. However, with younger talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal emerging and the seasoned Gill set to make his comeback, Rahul's future in the Test side hangs in the balance as India seeks to reclaim their dominance on home turf.