KL Rahul‘s uneven performances in Test cricket last year drew harsh criticism from Venkatesh Prasad, who further supported his criticism by putting his statistics on the X platform at the time. However, former Indian bowler Venkatesh Prasad gave wicket-keeper batsman KL Rahul credit for his strong return and performance in this year’s ODIs as well as the just completed Boxing Day Test in Centurion against South Africa.
Rahul suffered an injury during the IPL in May that kept him out of action for a few months. After undergoing surgery, he recovered fully at the NCA and went on to make an incredible comeback during the Asia Cup in Sri Lanka. KL Rahul has shown that he can play the waiting game as well which is priceless in tricky situations.
KL Rahul went from suffering an injury to making an incredible comeback to cricket
In that Asia Cup 2023, KL Rahul struck an incredible century against Pakistan and never looked back after that. In the 2023 World Cup, KL Rahul also had an incredible run batting at No. 5, he scored 452 runs at an average of 75.33 in 11 games, including two half-centuries and a century.
After that, Rahul changed his image in red-ball cricket and, in his return to the test match against South Africa last week, adopted a new role as a wicket-keeping middle-order batter. He proved himself by adapting well and scoring an incredible battling century in the first innings despite difficult circumstances.
Consistency in Test Cricket and realizing his true potential is what KL Rahul needs to aspire – Venkatesh Prasad
KL Rahul’s recent performances have been acknowledged by Prasad, who also believes that Rahul should aim to increase his consistency in Tests and reach his full potential. In response to a fan’s question regarding Rahul during an X (Twitter) Q&A, Venkatesh Prasad wrote:
“KL Rahul has had a great year in one day cricket and in his comeback test in centurion played a wonderful knock in the first innings. Happy for him. Consistency in Test Cricket and realising his true potential is what he needs to aspire for imho,” Venkatesh Prasad stated.
With an innings and 32-run defeat in the opening Test in Centurion, Team India’s two-match Test series got off to a bad start. South Africa dominated the game in every way, as both the batting and bowling units performed appallingly.
The second Test between the two sides will take place in Cape Town on January 3rd. India has to win in the game to to avoid a whitewash. Mohammed Shami, who is injured, has been replaced in the lineup for this game by Avesh Khan.