Virat Kohli has a huge role in making KL Rahul the great batsman he is today: Virender Sehwag

Virender Sehwag, the former Indian cricketer, stated that Virat Kohli, the Indian skipper, has played a major part in grooming KL Rahul into a versatile batsman. Rahul is currently the Men in Blue’s leading run-scorer in the ongoing ODI series against England. In two games, the 28-year-old has notched 170 runs, including a century in the second game at the MCA Stadium in Pune.

Sehwag stated that batting in multiple positions has enabled Rahul to change his game as per the situations of the matches. The Nawab of Najafgarh reckons that Kohli has shown enough confidence in Rahul to perform at different positions.

Virender Sehwag praises KL Rahul

“KL Rahul has played at almost every slot. He might be one of the favourite batsmen of captain, hence he has tried to adjust him in every batting position. That is necessary, when a new player comes in, to make him a part of the playing XI,” Sehwag was quoted as saying on Cricbuzz.

“Even if you play him at no. 11, but you have to play them to give them confidence. India captain Virat Kohli has a huge role in making KL Rahul the great batsman he is today,” he stated.

“When the openers come out to bat, the thought process is to cash in the first 10 overs. So, you get less time for yourself. Whenever I use to open the innings, I always use to think about whether I can make an impact in the first 10 overs, and cash in during the powerplay,” Sehwag added.

Rahul didn’t have memorable outings in the five-match T20I series. In four T20Is, he bagged two ducks and managed only 15 runs at a dismal average of 3.75. But in the ODIs, the right-hander, well and truly, has made amends. Prior to his ton in the second game, he got an unbeaten 62 in the first.

In 36 Tests, 37 ODIs, and 49 T20Is, Rahul has notched over 5,000 runs with 12 centuries and 32 half-centuries to show for his efforts. He is also set to lead the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).