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India wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul proved to be the perfect ally for the well-settled Virat Kohli after Axar Patel’s dismissal in the 35th over of the game.
Anil Kumble Backs KL Rahul To Bat At No. 5: ‘He Should Have Been Ahead Of Axar…’ (Picture credit: AP)
Former India leg spinner Anil Kumble has said that with the kind of knock that KL Rahul had in the Champions Trophy semifinal against Australia on Tuesday, he should have been sent ahead of Axar Patel in the batting order.
Rahul came through for India in a time of crisis at No. 6 as he scored a crucial 34-ball 42 to take India over the line in the 265-run chase.
Kumble lauded Rahul for his brilliant innings and said that he showed all his strengths, proving why the No. 5 role is a much better fit for him.
“With the kind of innings that he had, we were talking while we were watching that, saying that he should have been ahead of Axar Patel. I know Axar did a good job of getting that partnership with Virat Kohli, but someone like KL Rahul, at that stage, this is what he can do,” Kumble said while speaking on ESPNCricinfo.
“There is a lot of pressure on him. If he does well, it’s expected. If he fails even in one innings, suddenly the whole world comes after him. He was under pressure, even with his keeping in the last game, but today he showed what he is capable of,” Kumble added.
Rahul (42 not out) and Hardik Pandya (28) played some smart and aggressive cricket as India cantered home without much ado.
Rahul came in to bat after Axar‘s dismissal in the 35th over. He added 47 runs for the fifth wicket with ace India batter Virat Kohli and, after the latter’s wicket in the 43rd over, built a 34-run partnership for the sixth wicket with Pandya. Rahul also hit the winning six.
“Yeah, I do [enjoy batting at the top]. I mean, I won’t lie. It’s after opening the batting in Australia in Tests and having to face that attack in Australia, and you know how red-ball [cricket] is much harder,” Rahul said while speaking to Star Sports after the match.
“I opened the batting there and then to come here and bat low seems a bit different, but this is how I’ve played white-ball cricket in the last four-five years,” Rahul added.
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