Cricketers mesmerised by KL Rahul's heroics in the 1st T20I against England

No one would have ever imagined that the 1st T20I between England and India would have ended up being as one-sided. Although England started off well in the game, it was yet again the wrist spinners who got India back into the game. India won the first T20I against England by 8 wickets with 10 balls to spare taking a 1-0 lead in the series.

KL Rahul was the star in the Indian batting lineup. He set the stage on fire and made the most of the opportunity that he got. Many believed that he didn’t fit into the team considering the dynamics of the side. However, Rahul proved everyone wrong when he came out to bat at No 3 in the game.

Heaps of praises for KL Rahul

KL Rahul had a terrific IPL 2018. He was one of the leading scorers in the tournament. However, his place in the India XI was still not guaranteed. This was primarily because KL is an opener and the management for a long time didn’t want to bat him out of this position. But, he was given an opportunity in the 2nd T20I against Ireland when Shikhar Dhawan was rested and he did well in that game. Rahul continued from just where he left off in that game against Ireland. He scored 70 off 36 balls back then.

But, in the game against England, he had notched up his game further to register his second T20I century, this time in a winning cause. He came in right in the first over after Shikhar Dhawan was dismissed by David Willey. The 26-year-old showed some great composure in the middle. With 5 sixes and 10 fours, he scored 101 off just 54 balls. He was a great treat to watch and many believe that KL should get his opportunities across the formats.

Both current and former cricketers were thrilled to watch KL Rahul bat. They took it to the micro-blogging site, Twitter to share their thoughts on this blistering innings. Here is how these cricketers reacted:

Special touch from @klrahul11. Making batting look very easy. A combination of great balance and good temperament. #ENGvIND

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) July 3, 2018

First T20 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 – 159/8 (20 overs)
🇮🇳 – 163/2 (18.2 overs)
A fantastic century from KL Rahul (101*) Team India goes 1-0 up vs England

— Saqlain Mushtaq (@Saqlain_Mushtaq) July 4, 2018

Brilliant innings by @klrahul11 !! Congratulations Team India!! @imVkohli

— Wriddhiman Saha (@Wriddhipops) July 3, 2018

What a phenomenal talent KL Rahul is. So pleasing to the eyes. High time he is an automatic pick across formats. All class #ENGvIND

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) July 3, 2018

KL Rahul also has to play in the Tests………

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) July 3, 2018

Special ton from very special player @klrahul11 and @imkuldeep18 was too good. Great start by team India for England tour. Look forward to many more victories #ENGvsIND

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) July 4, 2018

@klrahul11 ..good to see india play Rahul..he is a must in all formats ..superb innings

— Sourav Ganguly (@SGanguly99) July 3, 2018

All-round performance from the team today..first @imkuldeep18’s wonderful spell and then @klrahul11’s superb century. Amazing game guys. Brilliant start to the long English tour. #EngvInd

— R P Singh (@rpsingh) July 3, 2018

Well begun is half done. This beginning is a sign of things to come. @imkuldeep18 and @klrahul11 were simply brilliant. Outstanding performance #ENGvIND

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) July 3, 2018

What a wonderful start to the England series for India. An outstanding spell of wrist spin bowling from @imkuldeep18 , followed by a brilliant hundred from @klrahul11 . Well begun @BCCI #ENGvIND

— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) July 3, 2018

Well bowled @imkuldeep18 5wickets and well played @klrahul11 100* congratulation both of you well done good show

— Mohammad Shami (@MdShami11) July 3, 2018