Legendary Sachin Tendulkar showered praise on Indian opener KL Rahul for his consistent performances in the five-match Test series against England. Tendulkar said it was the best he has seen Rahul bat in his career.
The flamboyant batter amassed 532 runs in five Test matches against England in the Anderson-Tendulkar series at an impressive average of 53.20, including two centuries. Rahul batted at the top of his game and gave a good start to the team at the top of the order.
“KL Rahul, I thought he also batted wonderfully. You know, it’s possibly one of the best I’ve seen him bat. The way his defense was right close to the body, and the way he was leaving deliveries, I thought he was completely organized. He knew where his off stump was, and what balls to leave,” Sachin Tendulkar said on his YouTube Channel.
“I felt at times that he was able to frustrate the bowlers by not playing anything unnecessary, making them come to him, and when the balls were in his striking zone, he played magnificent shots,” he added.
On the other hand, the Master Blaster reckons Rishabh Pant’s fall while playing the sweep shot against the fast bowlers is intentional and at no time, he is off-balance.
“Especially the sweep shot, where he likes to get under the ball. People think that he falls while playing the shot, but that is intentional so that he can get under the ball. That is a plan. The secret is to get under the ball for that shot, so that falling is planned, not an off-balance fall. He plans to fall depending on the length the bowler bowls,” he said.
Sachin added that Pant should be given the freedom to back his natural game and expects him to use his experience according to the match situation.
“Someone like Rishabh should be left alone. I’m not saying that when you’re looking to save a match he doesn’t need a different approach; if there are 15 or 20 overs to survive, then obviously he should have a different approach. But if it’s the first, second, or third or even for that matter, the fourth innings, whichever situation, whatever time, he’ll work that out and use his experience,” he added.
Pant scored 479 runs in four Test matches against England and once again delivered with the bat.
