Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has hailed KL Rahul as the most versatile cricketer after the third ODI against the West Indies on Saturday. Chopra heaped praise on Rahul after his brilliant unbeaten 129 off just 87 balls against the West Indies in the final ODI in Mullanpur.
Rahul, playing his first innings of the series, played a crucial knock to help India post 351/7 after they were reduced to 28/2 inside the first 10 overs. He smashed nine fours and three sixes in his 87-ball innings.
The wicketkeeper-batter also completed his ninth ODI century and crossed the 10,000-run mark in international cricket during his innings. He became the 15th Indian batter to reach the milestone.
Chopra was impressed by Rahul’s ability to adapt to different batting positions and situations.
Aakash Chopra said on Cricinfo, “The most versatile cricketer on the planet. Across three formats actually, you will struggle to find people who are that versatile. I mean, you just look at the range. He is the same guy who would defend for an entire day in a Test match as an opener in SENA countries. He is the same guy who plays the IPL scores 160 odd runs in double quick time.
“And he is the same guy who is now asked to play a very different role. The toughest role in ODI cricket. Come bat at 5 or 6 and you will be required only when things go bad. And he turns up every time,” Chopra went on to add.
The former Delhi cricketer rated Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul as the two best middle order batters in the world right now.
“Well, he is right up there. I think Shreyas Iyer’s numbers must also be quite handsome. He is a very good middle order batter. Controls the innings quite nicely. Champions Trophy, as much as it was about Rahul finishing the innings, it was also equally about Shreyas holding the middle order together. So, these two for sure.
“When you talk about Rahul, the fact also is that you tell anybody in the top three to bat at 5 or 6, they will be half the players. This guy is actually a natural opener. But he has become even better as someone who could finish ODI innings off,” Chopra concluded.
Rahul has performed consistently while batting at number five for India.
