Cricket News

‘When KL’s little bit more defensive…’ – Shane Watson sends warning to KL Rahul regarding his batting approach

KL Rahul isn’t playing the ongoing series against New Zealand as he has taken a rest after the 20-20 World Cup. The Indian batter had a disappointing World Cup campaign for the Men in Blue. He scored only 128 runs in six matches. Fans were not happy to witness the poor numbers from a start batter like KL Rahul.

Since his comeback to the team, he has failed to score big knocks. KL Rahul came back to play for India in the Zimbabwe ODIs. Then he played in the Asia Cup but scored only one fifty against Afghanistan.

Still, fans were expecting to see him return to form in the World Cup. But, he failed to deliver, once again. Amidst that, the former Australian batter Shane Watson has sent a warning to Rahul regarding his recent batting approach.

“He’s at his best when he’s just taking the game on.” – Shane Watson on KL Rahul

KL Rahul managed to score two fifties in the World Cup. But, fans were not happy with his strike rate. Shane Watson said that Rahul only plays his best game while he looks to attack the opposition.

While speaking to The Cricket Monthly, Watson said,

“The thing I’d say, just specifically to KL Rahul – he’s at his best when he’s just taking the game on. Not trying to just rotate strike or being a bit more defensive.”

“When he’s batting purely on instinct and putting a lot of pressure on the bowler because he’s just got every shot in the book – wherever they bowl it, he can just hit that ball for a six or a boundary.

When KL’s a little bit more defensive in his mind, that’s when, like all batters, you’re a lot more susceptible to being exposed,” Shane Watson concluded.

However, during the World Cup, head coach Rahul Dravid continues to term KL Rahul as one of the vital cogs in the team.

“Personally, he would have liked to score a few more runs but it is not concerning him. Certainly, he is a very big part of our plans going ahead in the next few months.” India’s head coach said. 

Apparently,  KL Rahul will be in action again for team India during their tour of Bangladesh.