Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri has supported opener KL Rahul to keep up his outstanding form in the upcoming Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy between England and India. Rahul has emerged as a vital batsman for India in the series thus far.
The elegant right-hander has 375 runs in three Tests, including two hundreds and a half-century, and is currently the series’ fourth-highest run-scorer. Shastri emphasised a technical change Rahul made, which he believes played a key role in the opener’s comeback.
“I don’t think there was anyone in the world who doubted Rahul’s potential or claimed he wasn’t talented. People were unhappy because, despite his brilliance, he was failing to deliver. “And in this series, you’re seeing the best of Rahul,” Shastri told The ICC Review.
“What I’m witnessing is a minor change he’s made to his front foot, in his posture and while defending. It only opened up little, allowing his back to pass through neatly. Even when he hits it towards mid-wicket, it’s the entire face of the blade,” he explained.
Shastri suggested that KL Rahul avoid closing the face of the bat, a mechanical mistake that has occasionally resulted in his dismissal.
He insisted that if Rahul had to lose his wicket, it should not be owing to such unnecessary mistakes. According to the former coach, the conditions have not provided much movement, and Rahul has the technique to handle whatever seam or swing is on offer.
Rahul’s recent efforts in England have only increased his reputation, and he now has the joint second-most Test centuries for India in England (four), trailing only Rahul Dravid.
“He doesn’t need to close the blade’s face, fall over, and get into trouble like he did before. He’d get out leg before, get bowled, cross too far, and then be out leg before again. He is technically sound and has performed as well as anyone. “It hasn’t moved much in the series, but when it has, he has had the game to deal with it,” Shastri said.
Shastri believes the 33-year-old is reaching the pinnacle of his red-ball career, which might signal the beginning of a long time of consistency with the bat. Rahul has 3632 Test runs to his name at an average of 35.33, including 10 hundreds and 18 half-centuries, establishing himself as a key member of India’s batting lineup.
“He’s in his prime. He has to make the next three to four years count. And I see him getting more hundreds since he plays a lot of cricket in India as well. So whatever the average is, he should be around 50,” Shastri said.
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