As India meet the Aussies for the three-match T20I series, a lot of focus would be on KL Rahul. The senior Indian batter reurned to the team after a recent injury. He scored only 132 runs in the recently concluded Asia Cup. Rahul’s low strike rate raised questions about his intent. Virat Kohli scoring a century as an opener also raised pressure on the talented Indian batter.
We'll be back stronger 🇮🇳💙 pic.twitter.com/BEh1pE4buF
— K L Rahul (@klrahul) September 8, 2022
However, KL enjoys a formidable record in T20Is. The Karnataka batter possesses a strike rate of 140 from 61 T20Is. Indian skipper Rohit Sharma also exuded confidence with KL Rahul. The captain said the duo will continue to open for India.
KL Rahul says he will give his best
Ahead of the match against the Aussies, Rahul was asked about his slow batting in the presser. “Yes, it is something that I am working at, the roles that have been defined to each player in the last 10-12 months have been very clear, and everyone is working towards it. And, I am just working towards how can I better myself as an opening batter and how I can have an impact for my team whenever I go out to bat,” Rahul said.
Kl Rahul ,When last time Aus came to Ind for T20is 🥵🥵🥵 pic.twitter.com/JHMOzqJsaR
— Klrahulpopa (Vice Capt hu bsdk) 😏 (@Krahulpopa) September 14, 2022
Further elaborating on the topic, Rahul added: “There can be criticism for many things. But the most important thing for a player is that what his captain, coach, and teammates think of him in the dressing room. Only we know what role is expected of each player. Everyone is trying to give their best, but not everyone can succeed in each game. It is the kind of environment we have created where players are not scared to commit mistakes or fail.”
Nice ….🔥@klrahul in jersey 👌💙#KlRahul #IndianCricketTeam #INDvsAUS #HarFanKiJersey pic.twitter.com/96WrlgNfoO
— sam (@BB15KING1PRATIK) September 19, 2022
The bottom line is clear. Rahul has the backing of the captain and the management. However, the onus is on the star to prove his critics wrong. The Indian batter has a unique trait. When he scores, he scores in bulk, and when he goes wrong, the bat goes agonisingly silent. Will he get back to his A Game? The answer is just hours away, as the action heads into Mohali.
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Squads: Australia: Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Aaron Finch (c), Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Daniel Sams, Steve Smith, Matthew Wade, Adam Zampa.
India: Rohit Sharma (c), KL Rahul (vc), Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Deepak Hooda, Rishabh Pant, Dinesh Karthik, Hardik Pandya, Ravichandaran Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, Deepak Chahar, Jasprit Bumrah, Umesh Yadav.
