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Former India head coach and renowned commentator Ravi Shastri has lauded KL Rahul for his exceptional batting display in the ongoing Test series against England. KL Rahul has already struck two centuries in the three matches he has played in the series. Ravi Shastri highlighted a significant technical adjustment in Rahul's batting technique, suggesting that this change has been instrumental in his improved performance and indicates that the batsman has reached his peak form.
What I am seeing is a slight adjustment he's made with KL Rahul's front foot: Ravi Shastri
KL Rahul has emerged as one of India's most consistent performers in the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series. He has impressively accumulated 375 runs in just three Test matches, including two centuries and a half-century. After facing challenges with consistency in red-ball cricket, Rahul has been deployed as a specialist opener in the current England series. This stability and clarity in his role seem to have allowed him to showcase his full potential.
According to Ravi Shastri, while the change in mindset has undoubtedly played a role, KL Rahul has also subtly altered his batting stance. During a conversation with Sanjana Ganesan on ICC Review, Shastri explained that the batter has slightly opened up his front foot while adopting a defensive approach.
“I think there was not one person in the world who denied his potential and said that he [Rahul] was not talented. What annoyed people was, with that kind of talent, he was not delivering. And in this series, you're seeing the best of Rahul," Shastri stated.
The subtle adjustment in his stance, according to Shastri, has been instrumental in allowing Rahul to play with a straighter bat, thereby reducing the frequency of dismissals via leg-before-wicket (LBW) or being bowled, which were previously more common occurrences. At 33 years of age, Shastri believes that Rahul is currently in his prime, and the next three to four years will be crucial for him. He anticipates that Rahul has the potential to score many more centuries, especially considering the number of Test matches India is scheduled to play at home.
"What I am seeing is a slight adjustment he's made with his front foot, in his stance and while defending. It just opened up a bit, which allows his back to come through cleanly. Even when he's hitting it towards mid-wicket, it's the full face of the blade. He doesn't need to close the face of the blade, and fall over and get into trouble like he used to in the past. He would get out leg before, would get out bowled, he would get across too far and then be out leg before as well," Shastri further added.
India, who are trailing 1-2 in the series, would want their premier batter Rahul to fire once again in the upcoming fourth Test against England in Manchester, which is a do-or-die game for them. Rahul will also be chasing a big milestone in the fourth Test, which is set to get underway from July 23 at the Old Trafford. Having already scored 989 runs in 12 Test matches in England, Rahul is just 11 runs away from joining the exclusive 1,000-run club in England, a feat previously accomplished by Indian cricketing legends such as Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Sunil Gavaskar.
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