The name “Rahul” has a unique connection in the Indian cricketing circuit in the form of current Indian coach and former star batter Rahul Dravid to the current sensation wicketkeeper and former opening batter for India in tests KL Rahul.
The most exciting Boxing day test match between India and South Africa which began on 26th Dec 2023 turned out to be bitter sweet experience for the Indian spectators round the globe as India beginning their conquest for the Final Frontier in the rainbow nation on a tottering Day 1 of game display.
The Indian team were put in to bat after the hosts won the toss. In very helpful conditions, the Indian top-order gave way, with the visitors tottering at 24/3 at one stage. Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer fought back and took the score to 92, before Iyer was dismissed. Things looked bleak at 121/6, but KL Rahul’s fighting 70 not out saw India to 208/8 at the end of day’s play.
After scoring a brilliant 123 as opener in the previous test series in the rainbow nation at Centurion, KL Rahul now batting at No 6 as a wicketkeeper batter showed his class and temperament to guide middle lower order comprising of Shardul Thakur and the Indian bowlers to end India’s day at respectable 208 for 8 after a dreadful collapse.
Post his return from injury in the Asia cup , Rahul never looked back and took up the dual responsibility of wicketkeeper batter to bat at No 5 in white ball as well as red ball format. His dedication and skills impressed all as he scored 111 on his return post injury against Pakistan in Asia cup, had a decent World cup with handy innings in backend , a fiery century vs Netherlands only to be attacked for his slow innings in the finals.
However Rahul stood calm amidst the storm and guided India to ODI series win in South Africa becoming only second Indian captain after Virat Kohli in 2018 to do so. Following his form into tests, at Centurion he is now standing on 70 not out an innings with caution and a tinge of aggression. Former Indian batter turned commentator Sanjay Manjrekar is in all praise for this star Indian batter and hopes that he continues his form in batting in the entire test series.
“He is looking a lot more relaxed”- Sanjay Manjrekar hails KL Rahul for his incredible 70* on Day 1
Former Indian cricketer now commentator Sanjay Manjrekar has been impressed by wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul’s transformation in the middle-order across formats since his comeback from injury. Rahul scored a fantastic half-century against South Africa at Centurion on Day 1 of the first Test on Tuesday, December 26, coming in at No.6 with ease.
From a precarious situation at 121/6, the wicketkeeper-batter almost single-handedly took the visitors past the 200-run mark and is still unbeaten on 70*, hungry to add more runs on Day 2.
Speaking to ESPNCricinfo after the end of play on Day 1, here’s what Sanjay Manjrekar had to say about the changes he has observed in KL Rahul ever since his Asia Cup hundred against Pakistan. He also explained how Rahul’s experience as an opener helped him use his solid technique in the tough conditions and said:
“It’s just been that kind of a year for KL Rahul that you knew that if he gets a chance in the middle order (Tests), he will do well. His mindset has been a bit different, he is looking a lot more relaxed ever since the Asia Cup comeback and was brilliant with both bat and gloves in the World Cup. In South African conditions, the challenge was manageable for Rahul because of his solid technique as an opening batter.”
Sanjay Manjrekar on how No.6 role suits KL Rahul
Sanjay Manjrekar was also delighted to see KL Rahul smartly farm the strike while batting with the tail and also being proactive enough to know when to go for the boundaries. He believes that even after Rishabh Pant comes back into the Indian Test team, Rahul could make a strong case for himself at No.6.
On this, Manjrekar said:
“He (Rahul) has the game to find boundaries on the third-fourth ball of the over and then farm the strike while batting with the tail. As someone who batted at No.6 at the start of my career, I know it is important to be able to play the second new ball well. Rahul has the technique to manage that as well. When Pant comes back he will definitely be the keeper-batter in the team. But Rahul looks like an ideal fit at No.6.”
With Day 2 promising to be the intriguing battle between bat and ball it would be interesting to see how far KL Rahul who is not out on 70 takes India far to a respectable total before the Indian pace attack being unleashed on South African batting.
Also Read: IND vs SA: Rohit Sharma Not Happy With KL Rahul As Wicket Keeper: Questioning On Coach’s Decision?