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KL Rahul has been in the news for his extended poor run in Test cricket. After failing to cross the the 25-run mark in 10 consecutive innings, Rahul was dropped to include Shubman Gill in the third Test of Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2023. While he has struggled in Test cricket, he has not been able to dominate the proceedings in T20I cricket either. His strike rate has been under the scanner in the shortest format.
Ahead of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) unveiled their jersey. At the jersey launch, Rahul made a big statement about strike rate in T20s.
“I think the strike rate is over-rated. But it depends upon the demand, like if you chase 140 – you don’t need to go with 200 strike rate – it depends upon the current situation,” the 30-year-old said at the event.
LSG made their debut in the previous season and managed to reach the playoffs. Rahul was the second-highest run-scorer in IPL 2022 with 616 runs from 15 innings at an average of 51.33 including two centuries and four half-centuries. His strike rate was an impressive 135.38.
But the opener could not replicate it in the international arena. He scored 434 runs from 16 innings at an average of 28.93 including six half-centuries. His strike rate dipped to 126.53.
He was far from impressive in T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia where he scored 128 runs from six innings at an average of 21.33 including two half-centuries. His strike rate at the marquee event was 120.75.
Last month, in an exclusive interview with Sports Tak, LSG mentor Gautam Gambhir had backed Rahul despite his struggles in Test cricket.
“People who are talking about KL Rahul don't know how tough international cricket is. I believe when a player is not performing he needs more backing compared when he is playing well. Name one player who has scored runs from beginning to end. Everyone has faced that phase and you should back the talent,” Gambhir said.
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