KL Rahul | It is time to become the man

[sensible-indian-fan]

No confidence in lower middle order.But then he needs to drop Maxwell

You don't deserve to win if you can't see Maxwell is a complete and utter hack these days.

That stance is ridiculous for hitting any decent delivery.

KL and Kumble must be blamed.

What were they smoking lol.

[Saurav]

You don't deserve to win if you can't see Maxwell is a complete and utter hack these days.

That stance is ridiculous for hitting any decent delivery.

KL and Kumble must be blamed.

What were they smoking lol.

Well tbf,he did have a great Eng series with that stance

But after 3 games,its enough to see he's not in form

For long he's done well for Australia but worse in leagues

[sensible-indian-fan]

Well tbf,he did have a great Eng series with that stance

But after 3 games,its enough to see he's not in form

For long he's done well for Australia but worse in leagues

You are right but screw that series.

When you see Rahul Chahar is looping up leggies on offside which maxwell isn't even able to touch, it's time to move on.

Maxi hasn't done much in international cricket too post 2013-14. Haven't checked stats tho.

In IPL, he has been a complete hack for years now.

The obsession with mediocre goray batsman continues while we ignore actually good bats from SL and Bangaldesh.

Beats me.

[The Viper]

KL Rahul Should Not be Bothered With Wicketkeeping in Indian Team: Brian Lara

Batting legend Brian Lara has advised Indian cricket team to not burden KL Rahul with wicketkeeping duties and instead, let him focus on his batting. The Indian team management has been in hunt for an apt replacement for MS Dhoni for over a year now but hasn’t been able to pinpoint one candidate.

While Rishabh Pant continues to be projected as Dhoni’s heir apparent, his wicketkeeping skills have come under close scrutiny. Consequently, other options have been tried including Rahul who has done a decent job behind the stumps and has also found success in various batting positions as well.

“Well, first of all I would like to say that KL Rahul should not be bothered with wicketkeeping when it comes to that Indian squad,” Lara said on Star Sports’ Cricket Connected. “He’s such a great batsman that I feel that he should concentrate on that and put in a lot of runs on the board.”

Rahul has been in excellent form in the ongoing IPL in the UAE where in five matches, he has already scored a century and two fifties. Pant, who played for Delhi Capitals, has been in good touch as well.

Lara opines that Pant has improved a lot over the past one year and should be India’s No 1 option as far as wicketkeeper-batsman goes.

“Rishabh Pant a year ago, I would say no, but I feel that he has stepped up in terms of his responsibility as a batsman. Look at how he plays for Delhi Capitals, it looks like he wants that responsibility, he wants that onus on him to score runs, build an innings and get big scores. If he continues that way, I think that he should the No. 1.,” the he said.

Another cricketer who has been making the right noises is Rajasthan Royals Sanju Samson who led his team to stunning victories in their opening two matches.

“Sanju Samson, who is not ‘keeping for Rajasthan Royals, but I do understand that he keeps, that’s one of his main jobs very classy player, looks good so far in the tournament in Sharjah. I feel there’s a little chink in his armoury in terms of his technique against very good bowling on sporty tracks,” he said.

https://www.cricketcountry.com/news/...an-lara-951557

[MenInG]

Kings XI Punjab captain K.L. Rahul is expecting a turnaround in the second leg of the Indian Premier League 2020.

After the 69-run loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad — Kings XI’s fourth on the trot — in Dubai on Thursday, Rahul chose to look at the brighter side of things; the performance of leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi (3/29) and left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh (2/33).

“It was great to see how the fast bowlers bowled and even how Mujeeb Ur Rahman (0/39) and Ravi bowled. They showed a lot of heart. When you don’t get wickets in the first six overs, the set batters can hit you for a few boundaries and sixes. We know the way Jonny Bairstow bats, he is very powerful. He can hit a good ball for a six. What was good to see how the bowlers kept coming back and executed their plans,” he told reporters at the post match press conference.

Despite being in good form, Rahul couldn’t deliver against Sunrisers and he clarified it’s not due to the pressure of being at the bottom of the points table or the additional responsibility of leading the side.

“When you see a team at the bottom of the table, you start to think a lot of things aren’t going right, it hasn’t gone right but no teams have top six players firing. A couple of them will be in good form and a couple of them won’t be looking good so it is important that the in-form players get as many runs as possible. The openers are always expected to give teams a good start.

“Not very worried. If the set batter can get as many runs, that will help and make the team look good,” he said.

Rahul, who registered the highest score by an Indian in the IPL by smashing an unbeaten 132 against Royal Challengers Bangalore, failed against Mumbai Indians (17) and Delhi Capitals (21).

The 63 against Chennai Super Kings didn’t cause much damage as their openers, Faf du Plessis and Shane Watson, made a mockery of the Kings XI bowling attack, winning the game by 10 wickets.

In T20s, Rahul’s strike-rate is almost touching the 140-mark but the aggressive right-hander has batted in the mid-120s in the last two games in the IPL. “Strike-rate is very overrated. For me, it is only how I can win games. On a certain day, if I feel batting at 120 can win my team the game I will do that. This is how I bat and as leader, you have to take responsibility. We all make mistakes but you learn everyday as a leader and a batter. Every player has a role and it can change each day. At the end of the day, I need to walk out of the ground knowing that I tried to win the game for my team,” he said.

The confidence points

Besides the young bowlers, West Indies batsman Nicholas Pooran almost took the game away from Sunrisers by scoring the fastest fifty of IPL 2020 off 17 balls. And Rahul believes the good performances will provide confidence to the other players.

“They held their nerve and bowled those good overs. That will give the group a lot of confidence. Small things like these are infectious and it can spread.

“Even in the last season, we had glimpses of how good a player Nicholas is. He is somebody who wants to improve everyday and he is very keen on being a match-winner for us. Till he was there, he gave us hope and made the opposition really uncomfortable in the middle. There have been a lot of positives, the points table doesn’t suggest that but I have been proud of how we have played. We need to keep believing that we are a few wins away,” said Rahul, assuring that Bengal pacer Ishan Porel will make his IPL debut soon.

“Ishan has been very good. He has been bowling well at the nets, and I have been impressed. He has had a good first-class season. I am sure at some point he will get a game.”

https://sportstar.thehindu.com/crick...le32809768.ece

[Saurav]

He's batting too slow

Not a captain material too

[Varun]

So the IPL hack can't even win IPL games for his team?

Go figure.

[Ashmal]

Has been playing some selfish knocks in this IPL....it seems that he is more keen for the Orange Cap rather than the win.

[rhony]

No game awareness. Apparently strike rates are overrated according to him. Still don't know the reason why anyone would make him a captain. Poor body language and selfish batting.

[Hasan123]

Lol why is he batting cautiously? He has every shot in the book. I really don't think he is a better captain than Ashwin who Pubjab got rid of.

KL should play his natural game.

[MP2011]

He was also saying that strike rates are overrated in T20 cricket.

lol, he couldn't be more wrong.

[sensible-indian-fan]

After losing his way in this IPL by playing slowly, today we saw the old KL back.

Kings Eleven Punjab has won three matches in #IPL2020

KL Rahul won MOM.
KL Rahul won MOM.
KL Rahul won MOM.

Captain leading from front.

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) October 18, 2020

3rd highest scorer in 2018.

2nd highest scorer in 2019.

Highest scorer in 2020 (might have played some slow knocks but he has been responsible for ALL their 3 wins).

Carrying his team a la Tendulkar of 90s.

Best T20 batsman in the world currently.

[sensible-indian-fan]

The entry of GOAT Gayle has injected fresh life into Kings XI's campaign.

KL - Pooran - Gayle

Wow wow wow.

[sensible-indian-fan]

The entry of GOAT Gayle has injected fresh life into Kings XI's campaign.

KL - Pooran - Gayle

Wow wow wow.

If only Pooran starts using his brain a bit more and develops some match awareness....he is going places.

Man o man...what a talent that guy is (in LOIs - dunno about tests).

My second favourite batsman after KL.

Gayle is Gayle. No comparison.

[MenInG]

Australia vs India: KL Rahul Ready For ''Responsibility And Challenge'' As Vice-CaptainKL Rahul said it was a "very happy and proud" moment to be named as India's vice-captain for the limited-overs series in Australia.Asian News InternationalUpdated: October 29, 2020 10:49 PM ISTRead Time: 2 min

India and Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) wicketkeeper-batsman KL Rahul is confident to take the ''responsibility and challenge'' as vice-captain of the Indian white-ball side for the Australian tour next month. Indian selectors on Monday announced the squad for ODIs, T20Is, and Tests against Australia. Rahul got the reward of his ongoing performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL) as he has scored the most runs in this season so far. He also led his team KXIP, and under his captaincy Punjab are currently placed at the fourth spot in the points table and are looking to get into the playoffs.

"It is a very happy and proud moment. I was not expecting it, but I am very happy. I am ready for responsibility and challenge and I will try to do my best for my team as much as I can," KXIP's official website quoted Rahul as saying.

In 12 games so far, Rahul has accumulated 595 runs with an average of 59.50 including a century and five fifties.

"I am looking forward to the coming tour but the next 2-3 weeks before that are very important. The next 2-3 months will be very important. I am thinking about one day at a time, not much forward at the moment," he further added.

India T20I squad: Virat Kohli (Captain), Shikhar Dhawan, Mayank Agarwal, KL Rahul (vice-captain and wicket-keeper), Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey, Hardik Pandya, Sanju Samson (wicket-keeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Shami, Navdeep Saini, Deepak Chahar, Varun Chakravarthy.

India ODI squad: Virat Kohli (Captain), Shikhar Dhawan, Shubman Gill, KL Rahul (vice-captain & wicket-keeper), Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey, Hardik Pandya, Mayank Agarwal, Ravindra Jadeja, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Shami, Navdeep Saini, Shardul Thakur.

India Test squad: Virat Kohli (Captain), Mayank Agarwal, Prithvi Shaw, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane (vice-captain), Hanuma Vihari, Shubman Gill, Wriddhiman Saha (wicket-keeper), Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Shami, Umesh Yadav, Navdeep Saini, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, R. Ashwin, Mohd. Siraj.

India and Australia will play three ODIs, three T20Is, and four Tests against each other. The Test series will be a part of the World Test Championship.

India and Australia are currently at the first and second spots respectively in the World Test Championship standings.

The last time India toured Australia, the Virat Kohli-led side managed to win their first Test series Down Under.

https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/aust...aptain-2317787

[hoshiarpurexpress]

Bro has become vice captain.. can’t believe that. He cannot handle pressure of Indian captaincy but I guess no other choice in Lois.
He is next in line then after Kohli and Rohit in Lois. Last Karnataka captains stint with the name of Rahul did not end well for us in odi cricket.

[tyron_woodley]

I prefer him over pant in short formats but can rahul keep in long formats? Can he cause I will be ok with him replacing pant at number 6 vs Australia. He can hulk smash the tired bowlers easily.

[hoshiarpurexpress]

I prefer him over pant in short formats but can rahul keep in long formats? Can he cause I will be ok with him replacing pant at number 6 vs Australia. He can hulk smash the tired bowlers easily.

That will be career defining and life changing event for him if he can keep well in tests. Rahul at 6 is a brilliant prospect in case bowlers are tired. And a confirmed run in test cricket. Pant I feel can be a really good Loi opener as he did in u -19

[MenInG]

India's white-ball vice-captain KL Rahul on Wednesday said he would be happy to keep wickets in the next three global ICC events if given an opportunity even though the team management has not yet spoken to him about it. Rahul has now pipped specialist wicketkeepers Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson as the No.1 glovesman in the limited overs format. Three ICC events – two back-to-back T20 World Cups followed by the marquee ODI World Cup – are scheduled in the next three years. The 28-year-old's keeping does provide the team the option of having an extra batsman or bowler.

"It helps the the team combination a little more and it's something I would love to do...if the opportunity presents itself and I can keep in three World Cups, I would love to do it for my country," Rahul said in response to a query from PTI ahead of the limited-overs series against Australia starting November 27.

Has the team management spoken to him about keeping in ICC events? "Nothing has been told to me and we are not thinking that far as a team. Obviously World Cups are important and that is a long-term vision for every team and country," Rahul said. "I think for me, we are just taking one game at a time. So if I put up consistent performances with bat and gloves, it gives us an option of playing an extra bowler or an extra batter," he added. Mahendra Singh Dhoni's keeping was in a different league and the way he guided spinners went a long way in India's white-ball success. Would he be able to chide a Kuldeep Yadav or Yuzvendra Chahal like Dhoni could, if he takes upon a similar role?

"Look obviously, nobody can fill MS Dhoni's place. He has shown us the way and how wicketkeeper-batman role is performed," Rahul said. "With Kuldeep, Yuzi and Jaddu, we have a decent friendship and obviously I will go and give them a feedback as to what is a better length if they are doing something wrong and anybody in wicketkeeper's role will have that responsibility," he said.

Rahul loved the role of an ODI keeper against New Zealand and hopes to continue with the good work. "I did one series (as wicket-keeper) in New Zealand and quite enjoyed it, and hopefully I can be better at reading the game and give bowlers and captains some good feedback for the bowlers and the captain," he said.

https://sports.ndtv.com/australia-vs...mpression=true

[Saj]

Three cheap dismissals can't change the fact that KL Rahul is India's "best T20 batsman" who needs to be supported during this rough phase, batting coach Vikram Rathour echoed skipper Virat Kohli's sentiments after team's eight wicket defeat against England on Tuesday. Rahul has had scores of 1,0 and 0 and a part of it could be attributed to no game time since the end of T20 series in Australia early December. "Anybody can have a lean phase and KL has been our best batsman in T20 format. He is averaging 40 plus with a strike rate of 145 and 3 failures doesn't change the fact that he is the best batsman we have in this format," Rathour said after the third T20 International.

"This is the time when we need to support him and I am absolutely sure he will come back out of the lean phase," the batting coach spoke in the same vein as Kohli did at the presentation ceremony.

However, Rathour did agree that rustiness could be a reason and all it would take is one good shot to get back into the groove.

"I agree they do tend to get rusty when they are sitting out but only thing we can do is to provide them practice. They are having a lot of net sessions and even on middle (centre strips)," he said.

"That's all they can do and we can just hope that one innings or one shot and they will be back in form. People like KL Rahul," he added.

India have now lost two games batting first and according to the former Test opener the pitches on offer during the last three matches have been tricky.

"It is a difficult surface to assess what will be a good score and the bounce makes it tricky when you start batting. The ball stops and we saw some variable bounce. So you can't assess how many runs will be a good score," Rathour said.

"Every game we have played on different surfaces and as a team it is tough. We have had 3 games now and next game hopefully we can do better if we bat first."

https://sports.ndtv.com/india-vs-eng...mpression=true

[Last Monetarist]

https://www.cricketcountry.com/news/...in-t20i-974178

India opener KL Rahul’s lean patch with the bat continued on Tuesday as he registered a duck in the Narendra Modi stadium during the third T20I. Rahul has not scored in his last two outings and that has meant he has now registered joint-most ducks in a T20 series/tournament by an Indian. Rahul has ex-India cricketer Ashish Nehra and Ambati Rayudu for company in the unwanted list.

Rahul has struggled with the bat and that does not keep him in good stead with the T20 World Cup to be played later this year. He now has three ducks in his last four innings.

Also, Rahul would be aware that young Ishan Kishan could make that spot his own as he would certainly be in the reckoning after a good show on his national debut.

On Wednesday, Rahul was clean bowled by Mark Wood – who got the ball to nip back in and get past the Indian opener’s defence – to rattle the stumps.

With Rohit Sharma returning to the side, Rahul was expected to be rested, but he was surprisingly backed as Suryakumar Yadav had to sit out. Rahul would be ruing the lost opportunity. Rahul would realise that he would now have to have a brilliant IPL to get back in the reckoning.

In the IPL, Rahul would again be leading the Punjab Kings. Last year, he was the Orange Cap winner as he amassed the most runs in the tournament. He would ideally be hoping for a similar IPL.

Meanwhile, put in to bat – India did not have the best start as they lost wickets at regular intervals. At the time of filing the copy, India is 110 for five with three more overs to go. India skipper Virat Kohli is set and inching close to a consecutive fifty and he has Hardik Pandya for company.

[King_Kohli]

[Ab Fan]

Dhawan has such average stats.

[maddgenius]

KL Rahul has all shots in the world and could be a world beater on his day but lacks cricket intelligence and game awareness. Same problem that Umar Akmal had. There is no doubt on talent but I'm afraid he cannot develop into a top tier batsman due to the inherent shortcomings that cannot be rectified.

[OMB]

KL Rahul has all shots in the world and could be a world beater on his day but lacks cricket intelligence and game awareness. Same problem that Umar Akmal had. There is no doubt on talent but I'm afraid he cannot develop into a top tier batsman due to the inherent shortcomings that cannot be rectified.

KL Rahul sits in among 5 best Top T20 batsmen. ICC Rankings.

[King_Kohli]

Most ODI runs in game where KL Rahul batted as a WK-Batsman at No.5

439 - KL Rahul (73.16 Avg/118 SR)
382 - Virat Kohli (47.75/90.52)
314 - S Dhawan (62.80/94.57)
289 - Shreyas Iyer (36.12/92.62)

[bala977]

The problem with KL is he has not played a single impactful innings ever ... talent, strike rates and averages are important, but more important are match winning contributions when the chips are down.

I vaguely remember him spearheading an Indian chase of 210+ in a T20 in West Indies years ago when he almost won it for India. Outside of that, there is nothing else that jumps out - fsomething like Pant's innings at Gabba or Kohli chasing down big targets in Aus a decade or so ago ... or even Dinesh Karthik who will be remembered for his exploits in Nidahas trophy final 2018 although his stats are probably much inferior to Rahul's. Food for thought.

[Ab Fan]

The problem with KL is he has not played a single impactful innings ever ... talent, strike rates and averages are important, but more important are match winning contributions when the chips are down.

I vaguely remember him spearheading an Indian chase of 210+ in a T20 in West Indies years ago when he almost won it for India. Outside of that, there is nothing else that jumps out - fsomething like Pant's innings at Gabba or Kohli chasing down big targets in Aus a decade or so ago ... or even Dinesh Karthik who will be remembered for his exploits in Nidahas trophy final 2018 although his stats are probably much inferior to Rahul's. Food for thought.

He won us the test match in Bangaluru vs Australia on turning wicket in 2017 after being 0-1 behind. He was MOM. I would say that is better than beating BD in Nidahas trophy final.

Also, he was man of series in the 5-0 whitewash of NZ in NZ in T20s.

[bala977]

He won us the test match in Bangaluru vs Australia on turning wicket in 2017 after being 0-1 behind. He was MOM. I would say that is better than beating BD in Nidahas trophy final.

Also, he was man of series in the 5-0 whitewash of NZ in NZ in T20s.

This is the exact point - I for one, dont recall his contributions in the Bengaluru test. To contrast, I remember Murali Vijay's 30 odd in Jo'burg on that minefield of a track, where he took many body blows but hung on to his wicket for deal life - that innings was crucial as it set up the platform for batters that followed. I remember that although Vijay is not as good as KL.

I am not disagreeing with you - I know KL is a great player. I am just saying that he should start putting his hand up and play some high profile innings' - guiding the team through a steep chase for example.

[RyanRyan10]

This is the exact point - I for one, dont recall his contributions in the Bengaluru test. To contrast, I remember Murali Vijay's 30 odd in Jo'burg on that minefield of a track, where he took many body blows but hung on to his wicket for deal life - that innings was crucial as it set up the platform for batters that followed. I remember that although Vijay is not as good as KL.

I am not disagreeing with you - I know KL is a great player. I am just saying that he should start putting his hand up and play some high profile innings' - guiding the team through a steep chase for example.

He had scored a brilliant 100 in 240+ chase in Florida against WI but Dhoni lost us the match.

[MenInG]

In the middle of what looks like a match-defining innings for India vs England in 2nd ODi - 65*

[Rana]

The man genuinely believes that the ‘KL’ in his name stands for King Legend...

[Ab Fan]

He will average 50+ in ODIs sooner.

[jeeteshssaxena]

He will average 50+ in ODIs sooner.

We don't need him to average 50+, just needs to score at a high str rate. Even 40 avg will be good enough

[Hasan123]

His career would have gone much better if he was given a consistent role. Sometimes he is opening,some games he is keeping and batting in the middle order. Yet he still has decent numbers in LO.

[Ab Fan]

We don't need him to average 50+, just needs to score at a high str rate. Even 40 avg will be good enough

This has been a slower knock from his standard but still ensuring that he makes up for the deliveries by himself only. Problem is when you get out at 75 after facing 92 balls.

[RyanRyan10]

We don't need him to average 50+, just needs to score at a high str rate. Even 40 avg will be good enough

His strike rate has improved from 77 to 90

[sensible-indian-fan]

Havent watched the match but looks like a selfish stat boosting knock...

Or was it a good knock?

[pillionrider]

He should always be picked ahead of Shreyas Iyer and always bat above Pant and Hardik (potentially the bigger match winner that we have to wait and wait for that potential to be fulfilled )

Don't think he's as mentally strong as those two in a chase.

It would seem obvious that he bats ahead of those two, but considering this team management decided to send Hardik, Pant and Dinesh Karthik ahead of Dhoni in the WC semi after a collapse, you never know

[Ab Fan]

Havent watched the match but looks like a selfish stat boosting knock...

Or was it a good knock?

Pant's blistering knock has made KL's knock look good. Even I wasn't watching the match but enjoying the comments on match thread and cricinfo commentary

[pillionrider]

Havent watched the match but looks like a selfish stat boosting knock...

Or was it a good knock?

It really doesn't matter. It's about getting him back to form and confident again.

[sensible-indian-fan]

It really doesn't matter. It's about getting him back to form and confident again.

Normally yes.

But the pattern he has exhibited offlate (reg runs above everything else) raises concern.

[AMSS]

Frustrating knock from KL. If he is going to play like this he better finish like Rohit or else he is a flat out liability.

[rhony]

The obsession with hundreds!! Sunny and other Indian commentators keep talking just that. "He didn't get a hundred. He's close to a hundred" blah. He should have started acceleration right after 35th over

[Suleiman]

It’s time to compare him to Umar Akmal for a mid career resurgence

[Usman Chadda]

Match-winning knock. Seems to be in brilliant form, carrying over from the successful T20 series he just had too.

He really is the man to lead Indian cricket in the near future.

[volcyz]

Super selfish batting when approaching his century.

Was beyond frustrating

[MP2011]

Horrible knock.

When someone like Stokes scores almost 2 runs every ball in the same game, Rahul couldn't even score run a ball despite getting so many deliveries to get his eye in!

Ok, Rahul is nowhere near Stokes as a batsman, still it was an absolutely useless innings. These selfish innings are only going to cost us big time in future.

[BreadPakoda]

Match-winning knock. Seems to be in brilliant form, carrying over from the successful T20 series he just had too.

He really is the man to lead Indian cricket in the near future.

Sort of a Babar-esque knock. Meaningless runs.

[MP2011]

If Rahul doesn't get sacked for playing this pathetic shot off such a pathetic delivery, it only shows how spineless our think tank is.

[sensible-indian-fan]

Ghatiya mindset.

Ghatiya results.

Yuseless.

He better check himself before he wreaks himself. lol.

[Firebat]

IPL 2021: KL Rahul To Explore His Aggressive Side, Says Coach Wasim Jaffer

With five half-centuries and a hundred under his belt in the 2020 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Punjab Kings captain KL Rahul is surely a class act. Rahul's handsome tally of 670 runs in the last edition of IPL had also fetched him his maiden Orange Cap. But critics have for some time now pointed fingers at Rahul's strike rate, which they feel could do with some improvement. However, this time around, Rahul is expected to be more aggressive, according to Punjab batting coach Wasim Jaffer. "KL batted a little timidly last season. He probably batted deeper because there was not much batting after No. 5, and Glenn Maxwell was not firing," the Punjab Kings website quoted him as telling the Times of India. "He took that responsibility on himself to try and stay at the crease and get the job done. This time around, everyone will see an aggressive KL Rahul for sure."

Jaffer spoke about strategic choices made by the franchise with regards to acquiring the right talent and placing them in the right positions. He said these decisions can help players such as Rahul explore their full potential and play more freely and express themselves to the fullest.

Commenting on the fresh talent in the side, Jaffer focused on Shahrukh Khan and said he could be sinister to watch out for. "He (Shahrukh) is an exceptional hitter. He played an important role in Tamil Nadu's title triumph in Syed Mushtaq Ali. Fabien Allen is another exciting talent as is Prabhsimran Singh,"

The Punjab Kings coach claimed that there is much more balance to his side than last year. "We lacked bowlers who can back Mohammed Shami. In Jhye Richardson and Riley Meredith, we have got two pacers who can bowl quick," Jaffer added.

Punjab Kings will take on Rajasthan Royals in their season opener on Monday, April 12, at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

https://sports.ndtv.com/ipl-2021/ipl...jaffer-2403862

[MenInG]

KL Rahul after today's game: Victory (on his birthday) would have been sweet, so it's slightly disappointing. But we have a lot of games, so hopefully we come back stronger and win few games. Right now it looks 10-15 runs short, but I think 190-odd looked good. Me and Mayank thought 180-190 would have been great on this wicket. Shikhar batted well, so congratulations to them. When we come to Wankhede, bowling second is always a challenge. We prepare for such conditions. It does get difficult against these quality batters. I'm not saying that because I'm on the losing side. Bowlers try to bowl with the wet ball, but it's always difficult to do that. I asked the umpires to change the ball a couple of times (as it was wet), but the rule book doesn't allow that.


==

Didnt mention his pretty ordinary innings of 61 in 51 balls - in chasing a target of 196!

[MenInG]

KL Rahul playing the 'anchor-role' today, and unfortunately we see this type of innings from time to time for Pakistan. No place for such an innings in modern white-ball cricket unless wickets are falling all around you #Cricket

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) April 18, 2021

[rhony]

KL Rahul playing the 'anchor-role' today, and unfortunately we see this type of innings from time to time for Pakistan. No place for such an innings in modern white-ball cricket unless wickets are falling all around you #Cricket

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) April 18, 2021

Precisely. They should start giving "loser of the match" awards at the end so these innings will stop. 60 ball 50 on a 220 wicket belongs in a ODI game.

[globalcitizen]

KL Rahul after today's game: Victory (on his birthday) would have been sweet, so it's slightly disappointing. But we have a lot of games, so hopefully we come back stronger and win few games. Right now it looks 10-15 runs short, but I think 190-odd looked good. Me and Mayank thought 180-190 would have been great on this wicket. Shikhar batted well, so congratulations to them. When we come to Wankhede, bowling second is always a challenge. We prepare for such conditions. It does get difficult against these quality batters. I'm not saying that because I'm on the losing side. Bowlers try to bowl with the wet ball, but it's always difficult to do that. I asked the umpires to change the ball a couple of times (as it was wet), but the rule book doesn't allow that.


==

Didnt mention his pretty ordinary innings of 61 in 51 balls - in chasing a target of 196!

Kings Punjab were setting a target and not chasing

[Smbhayi]

==

Didnt mention his pretty ordinary innings of 61 in 51 balls - in chasing a target of 196!

Not chasing, he was setting the total..

[MP2011]

Not chasing, he was setting the total..

Doesn't matter. It was still a selfishly poor innings like 99% of his innings are for India during past few years.

[Zaz]

Surely after the first couple of overs he shouldve clicked on what kind of wicket it was and if his partner is going at 180 strike rate then he needs to speed up too

[avihash]

KL Rahul playing the 'anchor-role' today, and unfortunately we see this type of innings from time to time for Pakistan. No place for such an innings in modern white-ball cricket unless wickets are falling all around you #Cricket

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) April 18, 2021

Now imagine a player hitting a 50 ball 50 against a severely depleted SA side.

[Saj]

I'm surprised his strike-rate in T20s is 142 and his average is nearly 40.

He's never really struck me as much of a T20 performer.

[rhony]

I'm surprised his strike-rate in T20s is 142 and his average is nearly 40.

He's never really struck me as much of a T20 performer.

He is a confused player. In the first game, he scored 90 of 45 balls and in the last game, it's 60 off 50.

One innings is at a 200 SR and the next is 120. He plays innings like these on a regular basis confusing the fans as well. And when you look at the stats, you get shocked with 40 avg @ 140 SR considering the games he lost.

[UzmanBeast]

Maybe he just overthinks the situation a bit too much. Either that or he doesn't have faith in the people coming behind him, which is also quite likely. Pooran is out of form, Gayle is unreliable, and the Indian players in the middle order aren't extremely reliable themselves being new players.

[Ab Fan]

KL needs to get his act right or else he will be dropped before WT20.

He is an outrageous talent but there is a point at which all this talk of potential ends and only performance matters. For KL Rahul, the time has come. He needs to up his game and not go missing when it matters.

[globalcitizen]

It's knee Jerk reaction from the usuals. It's start of tournament and he has knock of 90 of 50 odd balls and 60 off 50 balls. Both innings resulted in scores of 190+ but bowlers let them down in one game
He is doing pretty well and will continue to do well irrespective of team fortunes. He is captain and has responsibility to build and not get out early

his short format credentials have been good overall

[Last Monetarist]

It seems to be a pitch that is turning square, but Rahul is batting under a bit of pressure again. If Punjab lose, Rahul will be subject to more justifiable criticism.

[street cricketer]

Nice stat padding knock from KL. Anyway since they were chasing a low total, it doesn't matter.

Babar and KL have a good rivalry even in playing stat padding knocks lol.

[RamLakhan]

Rahul's time to become man is over! He should try to become grandpa now (like Dhoni!)

[Saurav]

Nice stat padding knock from KL. Anyway since they were chasing a low total, it doesn't matter.

Babar and KL have a good rivalry even in playing stat padding knocks lol.

It wasn't stat padding considering the pitch

The one v Delhi was

[Ab Fan]

He might well go down as greatest IPL batsman ever.

Averages 46 at strike rate of 136.

[Mamoon]

He is an outstanding player and so unlucky to have played in the same team as Kohli and Sharma.

He is the best Asian batsman today across formats after the two giants and until Shaw fulfills his potential.

He is also a good leader and showed excellent tactical acumen yesterday. His bowling changes and field settings were excellent and choked a batting lineup consisting of players like Kohli, de Villiers and Maxwell.

A shame that he will probably never get to captain India because he will be 33-34 when Kohli retires and will thus not be viewed as a long-term option for captaincy.

[Mamoon]

He has been bossing IPL since leaving RCB for KXIP (PBKS) in 2019. It was important for him to step out of the shadow of Kohli, de Villiers and Gayle.

A shame it didn’t work out for him in RCB. He is a Bengaluru local and would have become a cult-hero.

[street cricketer]

I get the feeling that as a kannadiga/bangalorean, he goes the extra mile to prove something against RCB whenever he plays them after being snubbed by them a few years back.

The thing I hate about his batting and it's not just him, but same goes for Rohit and Kohli as well, is that they tend to start slow and accumulate and only after reaching a particular score, they start exploding. Rahul did the same way yesterday and Kohli probably tried to copy the same template but he got dismissed before he could change gears. I have no problem with batsmen stat padding if they don't have the gears of a hitter, but the likes of KL, Rohit and Kohli clearly have higher gears but they deliberately bat at a lower gear at the start of their innings and I hate that mindset of batting. Take AB for example, he never stat pads and always plays impactful innings right from ball 1 and not after 5-7 overs. English batsmen never stat pad, which is why they have such a strong team in LOIs. Need young guys like Shaw and Pant to change the mindset of the older generation.

[Hasan123]

He has every shot in the book yet he seems to want to hold himself back. I think he wants to be responsible as a leader. But it seems to be working for the most part. He loves playing against RCB. I'm sure he wants to prove something to RCB. He has extra motivation against them.

[RainStopsPlay]

He has every shot in the book yet he seems to want to hold himself back. I think he wants to be responsible as a leader. But it seems to be working for the most part. He loves playing against RCB. I'm sure he wants to prove something to RCB. He has extra motivation against them.

Something to Kohli.* Our great kaptaan was the reason for Rahul's loss of form and confidence in LOIs. Our joker of a captain didn't give Rahul a proper position to stick to. And removing him from playing XI after few bad games only to replace with duds like Rayudu, Shankar and DK. As long as we have this Joker as captain, India will never win a Major tournament.

[Hasan123]

Something to Kohli.* Our great kaptaan was the reason for Rahul's loss of form and confidence in LOIs. Our joker of a captain didn't give Rahul a proper position to stick to. And removing him from playing XI after few bad games only to replace with duds like Rayudu, Shankar and DK. As long as we have this Joker as captain, India will never win a Major tournament.

I have said before I think KL Rahul career would have gone down different trajectory had he been given a run of games without worrying about his place.

[mystical man]

He is an outstanding player and so unlucky to have played in the same team as Kohli and Sharma.

He is the best Asian batsman today across formats after the two giants and until Shaw fulfills his potential.

He is also a good leader and showed excellent tactical acumen yesterday. His bowling changes and field settings were excellent and choked a batting lineup consisting of players like Kohli, de Villiers and Maxwell.

A shame that he will probably never get to captain India because he will be 33-34 when Kohli retires and will thus not be viewed as a long-term option for captaincy.

Best Asian player?Babar and Fakhar Zaman along with Imad are head and shoulders above him.

[Varun]

Who cares what he does in IPL.

[Smbhayi]

He is an outstanding player and so unlucky to have played in the same team as Kohli and Sharma.

He is the best Asian batsman today across formats after the two giants and until Shaw fulfills his potential.

He is also a good leader and showed excellent tactical acumen yesterday. His bowling changes and field settings were excellent and choked a batting lineup consisting of players like Kohli, de Villiers and Maxwell.

A shame that he will probably never get to captain India because he will be 33-34 when Kohli retires and will thus not be viewed as a long-term option for captaincy.

He's lucky yesterday Gayle plays a stunner.. Otherwise his innings will be a match losing one, putting pressure on other end..

[Smbhayi]

Something to Kohli.* Our great kaptaan was the reason for Rahul's loss of form and confidence in LOIs. Our joker of a captain didn't give Rahul a proper position to stick to. And removing him from playing XI after few bad games only to replace with duds like Rayudu, Shankar and DK. As long as we have this Joker as captain, India will never win a Major tournament.

Lol KL (and Pant too) is very well backed by Kohli and team management.. Despite his continuous failure they give every chance to him to stick in..