Regardless of establishing himself as one of the constant ODI batters at No. 5 and taking on the wicket-keeping gloves usually since 2020, KL Rahul’s function within the spot has typically been scrutinised.
Dropped a rung decrease to No. 6 within the Champions Trophy, with left-hander Axar Patel promoted up the order, Rahul utilized his wares adeptly on Tuesday within the semi-final in opposition to Australia. The 32-year-old befittingly hit the profitable runs, smashing Glenn Maxwell for a six over long-on within the penultimate over to seal a 265-run chase and a four-wicket victory for India to succeed in their fifth Champions Trophy last and a 3rd in successio.
“Yeah, I do [enjoy batting at the top], I imply I received’t lie,” Rahul informed Star Sports activities after the sport. “It’s after opening the batting in Australia in Check matches and having to face that assault in Australia and you know the way red-ball [cricket] is way tougher. I opened the batting there after which to come back right here and bat low appears a bit totally different, however that is how I’ve performed white-ball cricket within the final four-five years.
“So, I’m fairly used to going up and down the order so I’m simply completely happy getting an opportunity to play within the center and no matter function is given, I feel it’s actually helped me perceive my sport much more and I’ve needed to work on boundary hitting much more within the final 12 months or so as a result of the final ODI we performed in Sri Lanka I batted at No. 6, so I knew that’s the place I’ll be batting and [we] wanted a left-hander within the high order.”
KL RAHUL FINISHES OFF IN STYLE!!!!! 🇮🇳
What a second, what a win as #TeamIndia qualify for the #ChampionsTrophy last for the fifth time! 👏#ChampionsTrophyOnJioStar FINAL 👉 SUN, ninth March, 1:30 PM on Star Sports activities 1, Star Sports activities 1 Hindi, Star Sports activities 2 & Sports18-1!
📺📱 Begin… pic.twitter.com/ymcT8TwJdA
— Star Sports activities (@StarSportsIndia) March 4, 2025
Rahul admitted that he couldn’t assist however marvel what extra may he have performed to cement a secure place within the middle-order over the previous couple of years. Since 2020, Rahul is certainly one of 5 ODI batters to mixture a minimum of 1000 runs at No. 5, with the Karnataka batter’s 58.72 common rating the very best. The runs have come at a good clip too with Rahul hanging at 96.41, solely bettered by South Africa’s Heinrich Klaasen (126.11).
“Actually, I imply it’s since 2020 I’ve batted at No.5 and loads of instances folks neglect that that’s the place I’ve been batting,” Rahul mentioned. “And each time I carry out in a collection after which there’s a break from ODI collection, ODI cricket after which we come again after 4 or 5 months there’s a query mark once more about, ‘oh effectively will he play within the XI, the place does he match?’ and generally I’m sitting there pondering what extra can I do. In all places that I’ve been requested to play I’ve performed and I really feel like I’ve carried out my function,” remarked Rahul.
Rahul, nonetheless, acknowledged captain Rohit Sharma who has backed him because the lead wicket-keeper within the format. “No matter’s been informed to me by Rohit, Rohit’s been the captain for the final four-five years. And no matter he’s informed me I really feel like I’ve performed that to one of the best of my capacity. And I do know that Rohit feels the identical and he’s at all times supported me and backed me with that. So, there’s that confidence going into sport that the captain has my again.”