Former Indian spinner and commentator Ravi Ashwin has asserted that Indian keeper-batter KL Rahul knew how to change gears despite batting in a tough spot in the 50-over format. Notably, Ashwin’s comments came right after the three-game ODI series against the West Indies.
Notably, Rahul scored an unbeaten 129 off 87 balls with 10 fours and six sixes in the third and final ODI against the West Indies as hosts posted 351/7 in 50 overs. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin gave an example of how MS Dhoni used to take the game deep till the end in the middle order, highlighting Rahul’s heroics.
“I feel sometimes he receives a lot of criticism for what he doesn’t deserve. He has the game to change gears. Sometimes the complaint is that he bats too slowly. But when you are playing in that batting order, you see how many times Dhoni came at five or six and would take the game deep till the end. It is because in that role, you can never play in one gear all the time. You have to keep changing and it is very complicated,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
Further, Ashwin showered praise on Rahul for his all-round game against spinners and short balls, adding that he is way above other keeper-batters like Rishabh Pant, Dhruv Jurel and Ishan Kishan.
“Why has KL chosen to play that role? I’ll put my money on this. Ishan Kishan, Rishabh Pant, Dhruv Jurel, all are there. But if any of these guys bat at five or six where KL does, it will take a lot of time for them to do what he is doing. He has got an all-rounded game. He can play spin, no problem with the short balls, beautiful inside out, runs well between the wickets, has great technique. He also has the power game. He took the bowling apart and the reason West Indies leaked 350 was him.”
Unfortunately, India lost the game as the Indian bowlers failed to defend 351. Eventually, West Indies chased the total in 48.2 overs with five wickets to spare, while India won the three-game series 2-1.
