(Image source: X.com)
[Saba Sports News] India cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin complimented KL Rahul on his performance while batting in the middle-order in the Asia Cup 2023.
Marking his return after a long injury layoff, Rahul made a century in his comeback game versus Pakistan. That hundred was followed by a useful 39-run knock versus Sri Lanka on a spin-friendly pitch at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin praised Rahul as he opined that the latter is providing stability to India’s middle-order.
“KL Rahul is giving us that stability with the bat in the middle-order. That’s why batting in the middle-order is really difficult. MS Dhoni nailed that art. However, I am not at all comparing KL Rahul with MS Dhoni. Plus, he did a different role of batting at number 6/7 compared to KL Rahul,” said Ashwin.
The off-spinner added that the wicketkeeper-batter is slowly developing a mastery over this role. He explained this through Rahul’s recent comfortable play against Dunith Wellalage, who took a five-for against India.
“But I feel he is slowly mastering his role perfectly. He put a partnership with Ishan Kishan initially against Sri Lanka too. When Dunith Wellalage was in a great rhythm, KL Rahul left it alone for two deliveries. That was a very good sign. It showed us that he had a good game plan.”
While Rahul looked at ease while facing Wellalage, the tweaker, eventually, outdid him.
If not rested, The 31-year-old will be seen in action on September 15 in the last fixture of the Super Four round of the ongoing Asia Cup, scheduled between India and Bangladesh.