KL Rahul: A Resurgence Fitting Of A World-Class And Conventional Strokemaker
No cricketer has improved as much in a year as KL Rahul. The once lost talent is now beginning to stamp his true authority. We are now seeing a different version of Rahul - confident fearless and gunning for runs and glory.
No cricketer has improved as much in a year as KL Rahul. The once lost talent is now beginning to stamp his true authority.
We are now seeing a different version of Rahul - confident, fearless and gunning for runs and glory. After a turbulent and inconsistent start to his career where he struggled to put any consistency into his performances, the last 12 months have seen a rejuvenated KL Rahul.
There has never been doubt about his ability, but he had flattered to deceive early on, in what is still a short career. It was all different a year ago. KL Rahul found himself at a crossroads. He was part of the first Indian team to win a Test series in Australia, but on the eve of the final day of that historic encounter Down Under, an episode aired back home created a storm.
Rahul¡¯s Test form had been patchy enough for India to choose a debutant and a makeshift opener ahead of him one match earlier; now, a crucial ODI series in the race for a World Cup berth was deemed out-of-reach following an indefinite suspension.
One year on, it¡¯s like he is the man for every slot in the Indian limited-overs setup.
KL Rahul played another match-winning knock against New Zealand to lead India to victory in the second T20I. It was a knock that read the situation well and had a character about it.
Far from the Rahul who, a year ago, would have caved under pressure and thrown his wicket away, this one is more mature and ready to take on the responsibility and deliver for his team. It is one team India needs, a player ready to shoulder the burden.
A player who can build an innings or go hammering tongs from the word go, Rahul has qualities that allow him to adapt to any role he plays - be it opening the batting or playing in the middle order.
The shot-making comes easy to Rahul and his ability to nonchalantly score all around the wicket makes him an exciting proposition. He is in the form of his life and making a place at the top of the order his own.
KL Rahul looks a different version of himself, but India won't mind one bit. He is scoring runs and become one of the mainstays in the team.