Former Indian batsman VVS Laxman believes KL Rahul will be disappointed with the way he is getting out in the ongoing five-match T20I series against England.
Rahul has struggled to get going in the series as he has made a solitary run in the three matches. The flamboyant batsman was dismissed after scoring a run in the first T20I and then couldn’t trouble the scorers in the next two matches.
Rahul is low on confidence and the same is palpable in his batting technique as there is hardly any foot movement. The stylish batsman is a technically correct batsman and it is surprising to note his struggles. However, it should be noted that Rahul is playing after a long time as he is not part of the Test team.
Rahul’s last four T20I innings read as 0, 1, 0, 0 as he has struggled to hit the ground running. The right-hander was bowled by England’s gun pacer Jofra Archer in the first T20I.
The opener was dismissed in the second T20I when he tried to go a drive while playing away from the body against Sam Curran. Subsequently, he was beaten for pace in the third T20I by Mark Wood as he was late on the ball.
“He will have to play because he has not played much international cricket. He is not a regular member in Test matches now. But KL Rahul will be disappointed the way he got out in all three innings,” said Laxman while talking to Star Sports.
“If we talk or think about KL Rahul’s batting, he is a technically correct batsman. He has scored centuries in Test cricket as well but the way both his feet are on the crease and the bat away from the body because of which a gap is seen between bat and pad,” added Laxman.
Laxman added that self-confidence and rhythm are not seen in Rahul’s batting and it is leading to his downfall in the series. However, Indian skipper Virat Kohli and batting coach Vikram Rathour have put their weight behind the under-fire batsman. Kohli and Rathour both have stated that Rahul is one of their crucial players and it is a matter of just one good knock.
KL Rahul will look to bounce back in the coming matches as he holds the key in the batting order. The fourth T20I will take place at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on Thursday.
