KL Rahul's batting is a viewers' delight: Ramiz Raja

Former Pakistan cricketer Ramiz Raja has praised Indian wicketkeeper-batsman KL Rahul, but at the same time, talked about certain things which he can do to improve his game. Rahul has been in the news recently, for his good batting performances. After a terrible T20I series with the bat against England, the Karnataka batsman has turned it around in the subsequent ODI series and IPL 2021. 

Ramiz Raja has shared his views on Rahul’s batting, calling it a delight for the viewers. However, while praising his technique, Raja also pointed out that for someone like Rahul, it can be difficult to adjust to the challenges of T20 cricket. Rahul has been among the runs for his franchise Punjab Kings in IPL 2021. However, his strike rate has been put into question all the time. 

“KL Rahul is a viewers’ delight. He is aesthetically one of the most pleasing batsmen on the eye, a purist to the hilt. For someone who is betrothed to technique, dancing to the music notes of T20 batting can be one hell of a challenge,” wrote Ramiz Raja in his column for the Khaleej Times. Raja also noted that the captaincy has added pressure on the batsman. 

Ramiz Raja points out a key difference in stats of KL Rahul’s batting for India and Punjab Kings

The ex-cricketer further noted a stat, that whenever Rahul plays for India and faces 40+ balls in T20Is, India wins 90% of matches. But, Punjab has won only eight of the 18 matches when Rahul has faced more than 40 balls. Raja said the big money gig of Rahul in the IPL has not been easy with the added pressure of captaincy now.

The Pakistan cricket expert further explained how Rahul as an opener for Punjab Kings, hurts the team sometimes. “As an opener at Punjab Kings, he has a choice to set the tone of the innings. Maybe, he puts too much price on his wicket and wants to stay till the end which pulls down the scoring rate.

“The power play batting thrust loses its steam once the field is opened up. The overall run rate in the match was 10.25. But Rahul could only muster a strike rate of 7.17,” Raja added. 

Ramiz Raja then suggested that Rahul should target to score a 30-ball 50 and that the Punjab Kings’ strategy of keeping wickets in hand for death overs is flawed. Rahul has previously been thought to be playing slowly in the IPL so that he can bat deep and reduce the burden on the middle order of Punjab, which isn’t their strength. 

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