KL Rahul has earned huge plaudits from everyone following his blockbuster century in the IND vs WI 3rd ODI in Mullanpur, New Chandigarh.
Where Aakash Chopra hailed Rahul as the “most versatile” batsman in the world, R Ashwin has linked Rahul’s batting methods in ODIs to that of MS Dhoni, the legendary Indian keeper-batter who was arguably the best in the lower-middle-order position in the 50-over format.
In Mullanpur, Rahul conjured up a thunderous century in tricky conditions after India lost early wickets. India were 4/2 and then became 141/3 when Rohit, the well-set batsman, got out in the 25th over. Rahul kept losing his batting partners at regular intervals, but he motioned through his gears in a stunning fashion.
Rahul notched up his half-century in 41 balls and reached his century in 80 balls. This was his second-quickest ODI century of his nine tons in the format.
KL Rahul receives a lot of criticism for what he doesn’t deserve: R Ashwin
Rahul hit the top gear in the last few overs of India’s innings and ended up with 129* off 87 deliveries. The right-hander slammed 10 fours and six sixes in his boundary-laden innings.
It was through Rahul’s spectacular ton that India finished at 351, which was still not enough for the bowlers as Shai Hope plundered 162*.
Former India off-spinner R Ashwin went into detail to explain Rahul’s role, alluding to the method that the great Dhoni used in his iconic ODI career that included a spate of anchoring and finishing innings in ODI cricket.
Ashwin opined that Rahul gets a lot of flak from fans and experts that he doesn’t deserve while applauding his ability to shift gears as required.
“I feel sometimes he receives a lot of criticism for what he doesn’t deserve. He has the game to change gears. Sometimes the complaint is that he bats too slowly. But when you are playing in that batting order, you see how many times Dhoni came at five or six and would take the game deep till the end,” Ashwin said in his YouTube video this week.
“It is because in that role, you can never play in one gear all the time. You have to keep changing, and it is very complicated.
Ashwin, who was a longtime teammate of Rahul’s at both India and Punjab Kings in the IPL, went one step further and put him above some of the other wicket-keeper batters going around the Indian circuit.
The former off-spinner raised a toast to the various aspects of Rahul’s batsmanship that make him so special and effective.
“Why has KL chosen to play that role? I’ll put my money on this. Ishan Kishan, Rishabh Pant, Dhruv Jurel, all are there. But if any of these guys bat at five or six where KL does, it will take a lot of time for them to do what he is doing. He has got an all-rounded game.
“He can play spin, no problem with the short balls, beautiful inside out, runs well between the wickets, has great technique. He also has the power game. He took the bowling apart and the reason West Indies leaked 350 was him,” Ashwin concluded.
Rahul is not part of the T20I squad for the West Indies series. He will next be seen in action on the New Zealand tour in Tests and ODIs.
When is India vs New Zealand matches?
India’s tour of New Zealand will begin with a five-match T20I series on October 22. It will be followed by a five-ODI series from November 4, and the two-match Test series will commence on November 19.
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