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Cricket Players'If he gets out for run-a-ball 25, we say that he played like Manish Pandey': Ex-IND bowler hits out at KL Rahul critics
Despite being the most consistent batter in IPL over the last five seasons, KL Rahul has been heavily criticised for his strike rate issue
KL Rahul has been one of the most consistent batters in Indian Premier League (IPL) over the last few years, scoring well over 500 runs in the last five seasons. In 2022 edition, he amassed 616 runs in 15 innings with two centuries as well. Yet there has been one big element of concern in Rahul's batting. While veterans and analysts have hailed his consistency, they have heavily criticised his issue with strike rate. However, former India cricketer RP Singh has lashed out at those critics hailing Rahul's "game awareness".
Speaking to Cricbuzz, RP Singh opined that despite Rahul being a technically sound batter with the ability to pick bowlers, he is often criticised for his strike rate if he gets out early after scoring at a run-a-ball rate.
"KL Rahul is technically very sound. He has game-awareness as he picks the bowlers against whom he can take chances on a given day. If he gets out for a run-a-ball 25, we'd say that he played like Manish Pandey does. But he ticks all the boxes because he protects his wicket and knows when to accelerate," he said.
Former India cricketer Parthiv Patel, who was part of the same discussion, sided with Rahul's batting strategy saying that the is only player who has the ability to notch up the triple-figure mark in T20 cricket despite starting slow.
"KL Rahul is the only player who can score a century in 20 overs despite starting slowly. If you are able to score 100 runs off 60 balls, it means that you've read the game well and know how to pace your innings.
"You won't see KL Rahul hit unorthodox shots that often. He plays pure cricketing shots and it's all an extension of his defense. From his defense to his drive and its extension over the covers," he added.
Rahul will next be seen in action in the impending five-match series against South Africa which begins from June 9 onwards. In the absence of regular captain Rohit Sharma, Rahul will be leading the Indian side.
