Former Indian wicket-keeper Parthiv Patel showered praise on KL Rahul for continuing his impressive red-ball form against the West Indies at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad in the opening Test of the series. After the Windies were bowled out for a paltry score of 162, India ended the opening day at 121-2, with Rahul unbeaten on 53.

Rahul completed his 20th Test half-century as he batted at the top of his game. The flamboyant batter showed all the patience against the visitors and once again gave a good start to the team with Yashasvi Jaiswal.

Rahul had also scored an unbeaten knock of 176 runs in the second unofficial Test match against Australia A at Lucknow and played a key role in India A’s five-wicket win.

Parthiv Patel said on JioHotstar, He looks much more in control and settled now. I think that hundred against Australia A also gave him a lot of confidence, because when you head into a Test series after scoring so many runs, it makes a difference. It’s been an outstanding year for K.L. Rahul, his second-best after 2017. I think he will surpass that record this year because he is looking in very good shape.”

Meanwhile, KL Rahul had scored 532 runs in five Test matches on the England tour at an average of 53.20 and Patel said there were doubts on the batter’s form before the Anderson-Tendulkar series.

“KL Rahul was outstanding today; he carried on his form from the England tour. Before that series, there were concerns about his form, but I thought he took responsibility really well. It’s very important when a team is going through a transition that your senior players step up, and that’s exactly what KL Rahul did in England,” said Patel.

He concluded, “Today, as well, he played the situation really well. The West Indies opening bowling pair was disciplined, and KL gave them the respect they deserved. He gave himself that time to settle, and once he was set, we saw him using his feet and rotating the strike.”

Rahul is batting unbeaten on 63 on the second day’s play.