Indian batter KL Rahul has been under intense scrutiny amid his deteriorating form but Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir has backed the batter to come out vigourously. In the ongoing Test series against New Zealand, Rahul was out for a six-ball duck in the first innings and in the second innings he managed to gather 12 off 16.

India also had lost the game by eight wickets after being bowled out for 46 in their first innings. This was India’s lowest total at home due to which they couldn’t never get back in the game. Despite piling up a decent total in their second innings, India had no chance to bounce back. 

"You don't pick players on social media because of social media or for that matter even what the experts are saying. What the team management thinks and what the leadership group thinks is very, very important. Ultimately, everyone is judged,” Gambhir said while addressing media on the eve of the second Test in Pune.

"International cricket is all about being judged, to be honest, because everyone's performance will be judged eventually. But I feel that he is batting really well. Obviously, he has had a decent knock in Kanpur [during Bangladesh Test] obviously, on a difficult wicket. And obviously, he played according to the plans as well. And I am sure, I think, he would also be knowing that he wants to score big runs and he has that capability of scoring runs. That's why he has been backed by the team management."

The second Test match will start on Thursday in Pune and India are yet to announce their playing XI. Moreover, Shubman Gill, who missed the first game, is back after recovering from a neck issue. For the second Test, India will now have to make a choice between Sarfaraz Khan and KL Rahul in order to adjust Shubman Gill in the playing XI. However, Gambhir refrained from divulging any details regarding the playing XI.