Former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh has showered praise on KL Rahul and compared the wicket-keeper bat with 2011 World Cup hero Yuvraj Singh. The Turbanator feels India has finally found a batter, who is looking set while batting at number four or five, just like Yuvraj Singh.
Rahul played a match-winning knock of 97 runs in the team’s World Cup opening match against Australia at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on Sunday. India found themselves in a pickle situation after losing three early wickets of Ishan Kishan, Rohit Sharma, and Shreyas Iyer.
Rahul was able to steady the ship along with Virat Kohli and the duo was able to rescue the team from the early storm of Australian fast bowlers. The flamboyant batter was focused on his timing and played the ball late to keep the opposition at bay.
The Karnataka batter scored eight fours and two sixes in his fine knock and got the team through in the run-chase of 200 runs.
“KL Rahul played an unbelievable knock. After Yuvraj Singh, we have finally found a batter who is looking set at No. 4-5. He knows how to take the singles and twos and when to hit the boundaries – when to change the game,” Harbhajan said on his YouTube Channel.
The former off-spinner hailed Rahul for making a staggering return to action as well as form. Rahul had scored consistently in the Asia Cup and also in the three-match ODI series against Australia before the World Cup.
“He has been doing well in the last couple of months since his comeback. He had a bad last year due to injuries and was out of the team. But the way he has made a comeback, it’s a blessing. I hope he remains fit because he is batting really well. He has a solid defense and his stroke play looks so easy. It is enjoyable watching his batting,” Harbhajan added.
Rahul was awarded Player of the Match for his match-winning knock.
Harbhajan also hailed Ravindra Jadeja for his fine spell of 3-28 and tipped Jadeja’s wicket-taking ball to Steve Smith as the delivery of the match.
“He bowled with the right pace and his seam position was also very good. The ball he bowled to knock over Steve Smith was the delivery of the match,” he stated.
“All three spinners bowled really well. Australia seemed to have no plan on how to tackle India’s slow bowlers. Jadeja is the magician over here. He has played a lot of cricket in Chennai. If you look at his record in Chennai, he almost always claims 3-4 wickets,” Harbhajan concluded.
India will next take on Afghanistan at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi on Wednesday.
