Former Indian spinner Anil Kumble lauded batter KL Rahul for his match-winning performance against Australia in the ICC Cricket World Cup opener at Chennai on Sunday, saying that he is back to his original self and the experience and deep batting he brings to the middle-order augurs well for the Men in Blue.
A calm partnership between Virat Kohli and KL Rahul helped India secure a six-wicket victory over Australia at Chennai’s Chepauk stadium to kickstart their ICC Cricket World Cup campaign.
“It looks like KL Rahul is back to his original self, like we have all seen, and we all know what he can do on the field. His skill and class on any surface, ability to play spin and pace is great. His consistency is impressive,” Kumble said. Kumble said that he has understood his role as a middle-order batter really well and is exceptional against spin.
“Yeah, I think he has understood his role really well. He has an exceptional ability to play spin. That is something you need as a middle-order batter. The other part of KL Rahul, Kohli, and other batters is their ability to hit good deliveries. In 50-overs, it is not only about hitting fours and sixes; it is about soaking up pressure on a good deck and playing slightly longer depending on the situation. It is something KL has done well. It solves a lot of problems for the team. The experience he brings in that situation and being there till the end really augurs well for India,” said Kumble.
In 14 ODIs this year, KL Rahul has scored 628 runs at an average of 78.50 and a strike rate of over 86. He has scored a century and five fifties in 13 innings, with the best score of 111*.
Rahul has clearly taken a liking to the middle-order role. In 11 ODIs at the number four spot, he has 481 runs at an average of 60.12 and a strike rate above 88. He has two tons and two fifties here, with the best
of 111*.
