KL Rahul shut down his critics with a quickfire fifty on Day 4 of the 2nd Test between India and Bangladesh in Kanpur. This was KL Rahul‘s fastest and 15th Test fifty for India in whites. Star India batter KL Rahul smashed a quickfire fifty on Day 4 of the 2nd Test between India and Bangladesh at the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur.
KL Rahul scored his 15th Test fifty and played in a rather uncharacteristic style, which has been associated with him. KL Rahul notched up his half-century within 33 balls and continued India’s onslaught on the Bangladesh bowlers. He wasted no time and looked completely set from ball one as he shared an 87-run partnership from just 59 balls with Virat Kohli.
KL Rahul stars with the bat on the record breaking day in Kanpur for India
It was a record-breaking day for India as the Indian batters gave the Bangladesh bowlers a run for their money. KL Rahul walked out to bat in the 20th over after Rishabh Pant’s dismissal and started off on a positive note with Virat Kohli on the other side. En route to the partnership, the Indian team became the fastest to reach 200 runs in Test cricket, bettering Australia’s record.
KL Rahul and Kohli made full use of the flat track and churned out quick runs. Kohli missed out on his half-century as he departed for 35-ball 47 against Shakib Al Hasan. Despite this, KL Rahul led India’s charge by hitting loose deliveries outside the park. KL Rahul looked set for a hundred but was dismissed at 68 from 43 balls. KL Rahul perished for team’s cause as he stepped out while trying to attack Mehidy Hasan Miraz, but was stumped.
After the 1st Test, KL Rahul was under immense scrutiny, but India’s assistant coach, Abhishek Nayar, seemed optimistic that KL Rahul could revive his Test career under the guidance of coach Gautam Gambhir and regain his form in the upcoming Kanpur Test against Bangladesh.
After a seven-month break, KL Rahul’s comeback in the first Test in Chennai did not go as planned, with scores of 16 and an unbeaten 22. Despite these setbacks, he remains an important part of India’s plans, though there are concerns about his approach in the longer format.
Before the series, KL Rahul featured in a Duleep Trophy match for India A, where he scored a cautious 37 off 111 balls, drawing criticism for being overly defensive. However, he displayed more resilience in the second innings with a determined 57 off 121 balls during a team collapse, even though India A eventually lost to India B.
India had a fabulous day with the bat as they shattered one record after the other. The Indian openers Yashaswi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma scored quick-fire 55 within just 4 overs and the team went on to score the fastest fifty, hundred, 150 and 200 in Test cricket.
Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar praised KL Rahul for his outstanding performance during the second and final Test against Bangladesh in Kanpur. KL Rahul’s knock of 68 runs from just 43 balls, featuring seven boundaries and two sixes, was pivotal in India’s attempt to push for a result despite a rain-curtailed match. He played at a brisk strike rate of 158.14, reflecting an aggressive mindset suited to the situation.
Sanjay Manjrekar noted that Rahul excels when given the freedom to bat quickly, as seen in this Test and his brief innings during the Chennai Test.
Sanjay Manjrekar analyzes KL Rahul’s knock on Day 4
Former batter Sanjay Manjrekar reckons that KL Rahul seems to be at his best with the bat when he is given the license to go out and play his strokes. According to Manjrekar, the right-handed batter seems a bit lost when he has to think for himself as to how to construct an innings.
India hammered 285-9 declared in 34.4 overs in their first innings on Day 4 of the Kanpur Test against Bangladesh on Monday, September 30. Opener Yashaswi Jaiswal top-scored for the hosts with 72 off 51 balls, while Rahul contributed a crucial 68 off 43 balls.
Speaking on ESPNCricinfo, Manjrekar dissected Rahul’s batting mindset under various playing circumstances and commented:
“What you see with KL Rahul, in the two innings that he’s looked really good and he’s looked relaxed, they have been innings where he’s been asked to bat quickly – where India had to score runs quickly. That actually seems to just help KL Rahul free up his mind. And I guess, in many ways, when you look at KL Rahul, even in the IPL or any other format, when he has to think for himself and chart the course, then maybe he finds himself a little outside his comfort zone.
“So, when he has the license, where there is only a one-point agenda, like today, and even in that second innings [in Chennai], although, it was a brief innings, you just see the class of KL Rahul – the shots that he plays. He must be the best reverse-sweeper that India has got. Loved his commitment to the team cause,” the 59-year-old went on to add.
KL Rahul featured in an 87-run fifth-wicket stand with Virat Kohli (47 off 35 balls). The former struck seven fours and two sixes in his aggressive knock before being stumped off Mehidy Hasan Miraz.
How KL Rahul has fared in the Test series against Bangladesh
In three innings of the ongoing Test series against Bangladesh, KL Rahul has contributed 106 runs at an average of 53 and an impressive strike rate of 92.98.
The right-handed batter looked out of sorts in the first innings of the first Test in Chennai. He hung around for 16 off 52 balls, eventually perishing to Mehidy Hasan, caught at short leg. The 32-year-old hit only one four during his stay at the crease. He scored 22* off 19 balls in the second essay, with the aid of four fours.
India’s strategy in this match resembled the aggressive “Bazball” style introduced by England. Led by skipper Rohit Sharma and young opener Yashaswi Jaiswal, the team put up a fast-paced total of 285/9. Despite the match seeming destined for a draw, Ravichandran Ashwin’s two late wickets kept India’s hopes alive for a result on the final day.