Indian batsman KL Rahul is going through a purple patch with his sublime form at the international level. After hitting a major low 12 months ago in his Test career, the Karnataka-batsman has emerged as better self to cement his spot in the Indian team.
In the limited-overs format, he has proved to be a multi-utility cricketer for the Indian team in the past six months. He has been asked to take up roles while batting at various positions and Rahul has delivered for his team times and again. From opening the innings to taking up the wicket-keeping gloves, KL has done almost everything in last few months for the Indian team.
He is probably in the best of his mental space which even reflects in his batting performances on the field. He is a much more confident individual who knows his game very well. In the 5th T20I against New Zealand at Mount Manganui, KL was yet again India’s rescue man when he led the team on the field during the second innings.
Rohit Sharma, who was the designated skipper for the last T20I, was retired hurt while batting in the first innings. As a result, in Rohit’s absence, Rahul had the onus to martial his troops in a rather crunch game. He was decisive with his bowling moves and trusted his bowlers to deliver for him at the crucial stages of the game.
Rahul did a wonderful job as India secured a 7-run win over Kiwis to claim the series 5-0. As he donned the skipper’s hat for the final T20I, Twitterati was in all praise for the stand-in skipper during the 5th T20I.
Here’s how Kl Rahul was appreciated for his captaincy skills:
Broken Cricket
KL Rahul:
Can Open? Yes
Can bat at middle? Yes
Can play finisher role? Yes
Can do keeping? Yes
Can do captaincy? Yes
— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) February 2, 2020
CricTracker
KL Rahul – The true all-rounder. #NZvIND pic.twitter.com/qjYTbRQPry
— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) February 2, 2020
Ian Bishop
If K L Rahul doesn’t score another run ever, that drive over extra cover for six should be immortalized in a logo.
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) February 2, 2020
Deepak Maurya
https://twitter.com/Deepak640xl_/status/1223919922285170688?s=19
Jayesh
KL RAHUL.. What a relevation.
FROM
– Failing in Australia series.
– Media Trolls
– Koffee with Karan controversy.
TO
– Gone back to play domestic cricket.
– And made a Super Comeback in the Indian team.
– Getting MOS in NZ series.
KL has come a long way..!!#KLRahul pic.twitter.com/3dFWFdbKVR
— Jayesh (@jayeshvk16) February 2, 2020
https://twitter.com/Marvellous_Capt/status/1223893247166054400?s=19
Sagar
Opening, Middle Order, Finishing, Wicket-keeping and now Captaincy. KL Rahul is playing more roles than Kamal Haasan. #NZvInd
— Sagar (@sagarcasm) February 2, 2020
Madan Gowri
https://twitter.com/tamiltalky_offl/status/1223924787556143104?s=19
Johns
KL Rahul in the T20 series against New Zealand:
56(27)
57*(50)
27(19)
39(26)
45(33)– Given India fine starts.
– Finished matches.
– Clean and calm behind wickets.
– Brilliant with DRS.
– Should win the Man of the Series award.#NZvIND— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 2, 2020
Akash
OPENING
FINISHING
KEEPING
kohli rested Rohit injured
Captaincy
what else left??
KL Rahul you beauty man? pic.twitter.com/fjE5SoMADx
— Akas__h (@unsecular_bong) February 2, 2020