KL Rahul bats best when he has a 'nothing to lose' approach, according to former Australia all-rounder Shane Watson. Watson also wants the opener to play such a role at the T20 World Cup beginning in Australia later in October.
Rahul's strike rate was criticised during the Asia Cup as well as the ongoing home series against South Africa. Though India had to chase down only 107 in the first T20I against the Proteas, questions were raised over Rahul's intent as he ended with an unbeaten 51 off 56 balls.
Speaking to PTI, Watson said Rahul needs to be aggressive from ball one in the World Cup Down Under. "KL Rahul is one of my favourite batters. To me when he is batting at his best, when he is aggressive, he takes the game on and is not trying to control the game. He has got that skill, when he is just reacting to the ball coming down, he has all the shots all around the ground against the best bowlers in the world.
"I love seeing him when he feels like he's got nothing to lose, then he can even strike at 180 without taking too much risk. If he is able to do that (in Australia), there will be a lot of bowlers in trouble," said world cup-winning Australian.
He also pinpointed India's fast bowling unit and raised some questions about their quality. "India has certainly got the batting to do incredibly well in Australian conditions but the biggest question mark is around their fast bowling. The spinners, Axar Patel and Yuzi Chahal are as good as anyone in the world in all conditions but the fast bowling without Bumrah in particular, whether they can execute skills under pressure at the back end of the game. That is where teams will be trying to expose India."
India needs a bowler who can bowl in excess of 140kmph in the absence of Bumrah, he added. "It is a genuine concern (lack of express pace), that is why Siraj will be a good option if Bumrah isn't there. The pace at which he bowls and the skills he has got, swinging it away and pushing towards 150 kmph with the brand new ball and he can execute well in the end as well," said the former Chennai Super Kings star.
