Watch out, KL Rahul is here. A few hours ago when the ODI squad to England was announced, there was a familiar name in the Indian set-up. The presence of KL Rahul’s dependable name in the squad to tour England for ODI contests seemed befitting. While the current side he represents in the IPL may read King’s XI Punjab, Rahul’s batting has been the equal of all eleven, with all due respect.
From the 10 games thus far the KXIP captain has amassed in excess of 470 runs. Importantly, his dashing batting has resulted in 4 half-centuries, including a personal best of 95 not out against the struggling Rajasthan Royals.
So effective and impactful have been KL Rahul’s efforts that he’s actually made even noted sides like CSK and MI seem like potential weaklings, susceptible to collapse with the walloping of the Bangalorean’s blade. Interestingly, just a few hours ago, Rahul struck his second-back-to-back IPL fifty, his last effort yielding 95.
While his constant efforts with the bat have lifted King’s XI to a stage where it might in all honesty take some really inferior cricket to lose the chance of making it to the playoffs, Rahul has earned a fan from the other spectrum of the border. A Pakistani TV anchor has expressed effusive praise for the fluent stroke-maker. While India and Pakistan may still be at odds with one another, there is no dearth in KL Rahul’s fans that pop up every now and again whenever the right-hander puts along a whack.
So when Pakistani anchor Zainab Abbas shared, “KL Rahul.. impressive, superb timing, great to watch #RRvKXIP” there was some genuine regard for a batsman who has truly come onto his own in this IPL. What is most impressive about the great Rahul turnaround can be the following 3 factors:
1. Continued assault despite Gayle being on the other end
When you have someone like the Universe Boss, batting at the other end, you can be sure that savagery is going to dominate headlines. Moreover, the odds of the match being dominated by the Spartan blade of the Jamaican seem to rest greatly with Gayle. But despite the presence of the veteran, KL Rahul has been leading the assault for the King’s. This is highly impressive.
2. Back from injuries
In his brief career that actually began in 2013-14 season, Rahul’s had more inroads with injuries than any other Indian contemporary. He missed most of last cricketing year owing to back and muscle aches and glitches. A fitter batsman in lean shape has contributed heavily to lifting his sides’ fortunes.
3. Unafraid to express himself
You could blame the barrage of big hits in the IPL to the nature of the contest resting heavily with the batsmen. But take nothing away from KL Rahul- concentration and abilities to dominate the show. He hardly seems like the lonely figure wilting behind the shadows of RCB heavyweights- Watson, De Villiers and, Kohli- that formed the fulcrum of a side Rahul barely seemed a part of.
In more ways than one, KL Rahul is pretty much experiencing the highs that a famous King’s XI predecessor experienced back in 2013, 2014 seasons- Glenn Maxwell.