IPL 2023: “I think strike rate is over-rated,” KL Rahul maintains his stance ahead of upcoming IPL season

Rahul was asked about his views on 'strike-rates' in T20 cricket during the jersey launch event of his IPL team.

KL Rahul has been in the news lately for his extended lean patch with the bat. Owing to a series of low scores, he was dropped from India's playing XI for the third Test against Australia in Indore last week.

Away from Test cricket, Rahul is now gearing up to lead Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season 2023.

On Tuesday (March 7), Rahul arrived at the jersey launch event of his IPL team, where his remarks put him in the news once again.

The LSG skipper was asked about his views on 'strike-rates' in T20 cricket. The opening batter, who had once called the 'strike-rate obsession' overrated, reaffirmed his stance.

"I think 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," Rahul said at the event.

Former India opener Gautam Gambhir, who is the mentor of the Lucknow-based franchise, was also present at the jersey launch event.

Showering praise on Rahul, Gambhir said the team is lucky to have a 'stable-headed' captain like him.

"We are lucky to have KL Rahul as the captain, he has a very stable head, even I wish, I could have had that especially since I was too extreme as a captain," the LSG mentor stated.

It will be LSG’s second season in the Indian Premier League. In their maiden IPL appearance last year, the KL Rahul-led side qualified for the playoffs after winning 9 out of 14 league matches.

While the IPL 2023 is slated to get underway on March 31, Lucknow Super Giants will open their campaign against Delhi Capitals on April 1.