Former England cricketer David Lloyd has heaped praise on KL Rahul for his consistent performances in the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar series against England. Rahul scored a match-saving knock of 90 runs off 230 balls in the second innings at Old Trafford, Manchester, to continue his rich form.
The Indian opener added 188 runs for the third wicket with captain Shubman Gill after India was reduced to 0-2. The visitors had conceded a huge lead of 311 runs and thus Rahul-Gill’s alliance was imperative.
Rahul has aggregated 511 runs in four Test matches against England in the ongoing series at an impressive average of 63.88.
David Lloyd said in the talkSport Cricket YouTube Channel, “I can’t believe it (on KL getting 400+ (511 in 8 innings) in a Test series for the first time).”
Asked if England’s vice-captain Ollie Pope should learn from KL Rahul, Lloyd said, “Don’t you think that Pope can if he’s watched all this as he has and see the calmness of the Indian batters. You know they play the shot and walk away. Come back in and play the shot and walk away. The word that you use there, Ollie Pope, is an elegant player, but it’s frenetic. You know it’s a Test match if it’s a long time, just calm down, Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara, all the greats calm down,” he added.
On the other hand, Lloyd slammed Old Trafford pitch and said it had nothing for Jasprit Bumrah, who returned with figures of 2-112 in the 33 overs he bowled at Manchester.
“Bumrah as we have infused about in here for many many times. One of the greatest there’s ever been. Nothing there (in the pitch). Absolutely nothing there from Bumrah. If he ain’t doing it, nobody else is.”
Bumrah has taken 14 wickets in three Test matches of the series at an average of 26.
The fifth and final Test match between England and India will be played at the Kennington Oval, London, from 31st July onwards.
