Former Indian Head Coach Ravi Shastri recently discussed KL Rahul’s cricket journey, emphasizing that the immense talent of the star batter often left people frustrated due to inconsistent delivery, a trend he believes is now changing.
Rahul’s Evolving Role in Indian Cricket
With cricket legends like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma potentially stepping back from the longer format, KL Rahul is increasingly seen as a key, experienced batter for India. He carries the weight of delivering on his significant potential at the top of the order.
Despite boasting a wide array of shots and a solid defensive technique, Rahul’s Test average stands at 35.26 after 61 matches, with 3632 runs. However, his recent performances in the ongoing series against England have shown a promising upturn, with two hundreds already scored.
Shastri on Unlocking Potential
Ravi Shastri, speaking on the ICC Podcast, asserted that no one ever doubted Rahul’s talent. According to Shastri, the core issue for many fans and experts was seeing such a gifted player not consistently converting his potential into runs.
“What annoyed people was that, with that kind of talent, he was not delivering,” Shastri explained. He believes the current series is finally showcasing the best of Rahul’s abilities.
Key Technical Adjustments
Shastri highlighted specific adjustments Rahul has made to his batting. He observed a slight change in Rahul’s front foot position and stance, particularly while defending. This minor tweak seems to have opened up his technique, allowing for a cleaner backlift.
This adjustment ensures that Rahul is hitting the ball with the full face of the blade, even when targeting areas like mid-wicket. Shastri noted that Rahul is technically sound and has the game to handle movement off the pitch, especially in conditions where the ball swings.
Making the Prime Years Count
Shastri believes Rahul is currently in his prime and stressed the importance of these next three to four years for his career. Given the current landscape of Indian cricket, Rahul is expected to have an extended run as an opener in home conditions.
Indian pitches are generally more forgiving for opening batters compared to those in England or Australia. Shastri optimistically predicted that Rahul will score many more hundreds, especially playing a lot of cricket in India, and should see his Test average climb closer to 50.
- Ravi Shastri always recognized KL Rahul’s immense talent but noted past inconsistencies.
- Frustration stemmed from Rahul not delivering on his potential despite being highly gifted.
- Rahul has made crucial technical adjustments to his batting stance and front foot, improving his strokeplay.
- Shastri believes Rahul is in his prime and should capitalize on upcoming matches, especially in India.
- The former coach predicts Rahul’s average could rise significantly with more home games.
This renewed focus and technical refinement could mark a significant turning point in KL Rahul’s Test career, as he looks to establish himself as a consistent performer for India.
