Former England all-rounder Moeen Ali heaped huge praise on Indian opening batter KL Rahul after the recently concluded Test series between the two teams. India managed to beat England by six runs in the fifth and final Test at the Oval to level the series 2-2.
Moeen Ali reflected on KL Rahul‘s performance as an opener in the series. He reckoned that people do not realise how good he is. While Shubman Gill may have scored the most runs in the series and broke numerous records, Moeen felt that it was the best he had seen Rahul bat ever.
Moeen Ali’s Outlandish Praise for KL Rahul.Â
Speaking on a Podcast called Beard Before Wicket, Moeen said, “People don’t realise how good KL is, particularly opening the batting. He was brilliant last series in England as well. I actually think Shubman scored the most runs, but I thought KL was probably the best I have seen him play. He is such a good player. I genuinely believe that he is one one of the best in the world. Sometimes I just feel like he doesn’t take the handbrake off, generally, I’d say he’s one of the best players in the world.“
KL Rahul: The Most Consistent Opener for IndiaÂ
KL Rahul has been in the international circuit for quite a while and he has been the most consistent performer for India. He has had to done various rolls and now seems to have settled in as an opener in the Indian team. He was amongst the highest run getters in the series and for India. He scored 532 runs at an average of 53.20 with two fifties and two hundreds to his name. This was a young team, and he was the senior most batter in the team and he did that with flying colours.
KL Rahul averages in the mid 30s in Test Cricket and it is sometimes hard to fathom why such a talented player averages this low in Test cricket. Part of it is due to injuries and constant shuffles in the batting order that has got him confused. But now with some role clarity with him and expected to partner Yashasvi Jaiswal, we can hope that Rahul improves his record and carries this Indian team forward. He has a responsibility of guiding the team forward.
Out of the 4 openers that were on view from both sides, he was the most technically correct opener and we can look at how he performed at Lord’s. In a game where his partner failed and the two English openers also failed, it was KL Rahul out there fighting and scoring the runs and notched up a ton and 39 in the second innings as his wicket fell at the wrong time for India. In run scoring he was way ahead amongst his other three openers.
KL Rahul deserves getting all the plaudits and praises from the experts alike for his amazing series where he was consistent throughout. Before, he used to taper out towards the backend of the series. KL needs to be celebrated more and given the credit he deserves. With the retirement of great players, the onus is on Rahul to deliver the goods for India and he did that in this series. He will be expected to do that in the coming series as well when India returns to Tests in October.
It is highly unlikely that KL Rahul will be picked in the T20I side for the Asia Cup in September with India scheduled to get a break in the month of August. So, Rahul’s next assignment will be the 2-match series at home against the West Indies. He will be expected to don the role of the seniors and guide the youngsters once again. The pitches maybe turning and how Rahul combats playing spinners on turning tracks will go a long way in helping him and India. For now, he deserves some rest and down time with his family and friends after a gruelling series in England.
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