Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan supports the idea of KL Rahul batting lower in the order for the Lucknow Super Giants in the upcoming 2024 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The IPL 2024 is scheduled to commence on March 23.
As the captain of LSG, Rahul aims to showcase his skills to the Indian team selectors ahead of the 2024 T20 World Cup, scheduled to take place in the West Indies and USA in June this year.
Irfan Pathan Suggests KL Rahul To Bat In The Middle Order
Pathan expressed to Star Sports that having Rahul bat lower in the order could be a viable option for LSG. In the previous 2023 season, Rahul, who typically opens the batting for LSG, had his campaign shortened due to a hip injury sustained during the league stage. Pathan said:
“He is a car with gears in an era of automatic cars. He can bat in any gear from first to fifth. He even has a sixth gear. So considering that, KL Rahul batting down the order might not be bad at all,”
Pathan further suggested that if Rahul bats lower in the order, it could pave the way for South Africa’s Quinton de Kock and West Indies’ power-hitter Kyle Mayers to open the batting for the Lucknow-based franchise. Mayers showcased his prowess by scoring 379 runs in 13 matches last season, whereas De Kock, although playing only four matches, managed to score 143 runs.
He added: “It could be good for the team and him as well. The team combination could include both Quinton de Kock and Kyle Mayers in such a scenario. If both of them get a place, they can go with an all-Indian pace attack,”
Pathan also praised LSG’s fast bowling strength, highlighting his admiration for Yash Thakur’s performance last season and welcoming the addition of Shivam Mavi. He noted that LSG secured Mavi for Rs 6.40 crore in the mini-auction held in Dubai last year.
“Their fast bowling is quite good. We were very impressed with the way Yash Thakur bowled last year. The Jammu and Kashmir boy Yudhvir Singh Charak also bowled very well. Mohsin Khan, if he remains fit, is an asset for his team as a left-arm bowler. They have acquired Shivam Mavi as well, which means they want express pace because the nature of the Lucknow pitch has changed slightly,” said Pathan.
The upcoming 2024 IPL season offers players, both from India and overseas, a crucial opportunity to secure their places in their national teams ahead of the 2024 T20 World Cup. With the tournament scheduled just a month after the IPL concludes, performances in the league could significantly influence team selections.
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