Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra believes KL Rahul has a peculiar relationship with his fans ahead of the fourth Test against England. Chopra noted that Rahul is trolled because he plays slow and he is also praised for his performance in overseas Test matches.
Rahul has scored 375 runs in three Test matches against England at an average of 62.50 in the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar series. The flamboyant batter has scored two centuries in the ongoing series.
“KL Rahul is slightly misunderstood. He gets trolled so much, but is praised as much. He gets trolled because he plays slow. Even now, people are stuck on November 19, 2023. In Tests, his numbers away from home are excellent. I think he has scored 10 centuries now, and only one has come in India,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
Chopra admitted that opening in SENA countries is a tough job but if a batter’s average is 35, then there is a problem.
“Opening is the toughest job to do in SENA countries. People go there and lose their jobs, but this guy has consistently scored runs there. He has started the series very well many times, but then there is a dip in form. If your average is 35 after so many Test matches, there is a slight problem for sure,” he observed.
“If he were to maintain his form throughout the series, he would be one of the finest. Everyone says he bats clean, but consistency becomes an issue, and a big series in that. He has started well now. You nail the series, and you will be remembered in a very different fashion. An average of 35 doesn’t suit him. He will also have to find a way to score runs on the slow, dusty Indian pitches,” Chopra elaborated.
Rahul has amassed 3632 runs in 61 Test matches at an average of 35.26. The right-hander has an average of 39.62 while playing in India, whereas he averages 33.55 in foreign conditions.
On the other hand, the renowned commentator lauded Rahul’s performances in the 50-over version as the wicket-keeper bat is averaging 49.08 in ODIs.
“In ODIs, assuming he had played as an opener only, and had held onto his spot, he would have been very, very good. However, he has been moved up and down the order, and has got set down the order. His average is close to 50. It’s difficult as you learn to caress the ball as a Test opener, but as soon as you start going below No. 4 in ODIs, you need to muscle the ball. He has done that. Very few people can do it,” he said.
Speaking on Rahul’s performances in T20s, Chopra concluded, “In T20s, he is someone who stops himself. He doesn’t live up to his ability. He needs to change that. Some amount of criticism is legit. Sometimes he puts too much pressure on himself. It seems like the entire world’s problems are on his head. That is something only he can rectify. He is slightly misunderstood and slightly underperforming.”
The fourth Test match between England and India will be played at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester, from July 23 onwards.
