KL Rahul played a critical role in India’s tense run chase against New Zealand in Vadodara.
Former cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra lauded India’s wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul for his versatility and finishing ability following his unbeaten knock of 29 runs in 21 balls during the first ODI against New Zealand at Vadodara on Sunday (January 11).
Chasing 301 to win, the Men in Blue found themselves in a spot of bother at 242/5 when all-rounder Harshit Rana joined Rahul at the crease. Rahul played cautiously, contributing to a 37-run stand with Rana, who scored the bulk of the runs.
After Rana’s dismissal on 29 off 23 balls, Rahul stitched a 27-run partnership with Washington Sundar, who was visibly struggling to run between the wickets.
It was then Rahul took most of the scoring responsibilities, hitting consecutive boundaries and a six in the last three balls of the penultimate over to take India home with four wickets to spare.
“KL Rahul’s batting approach in this first ODI against New Zealand was interesting. We know him as an aggressive player. But here, with Harshit Rana and an injured Washington Sundar batting with him, he was different. Many times you think he will accelerate and finish the match quickly with a big shot, but he took his time. The first ball he hit in the 49th over wasn’t a boundary ball, but he found the boundary. He has the ability of finding the boundaries easily and He hits his shots when he wants," Chopra said while speaking on JioStar.
“He was taking singles off balls he usually hits, but he waited for the right chances. In a different way, his versatility is his biggest quality. Ask him to open, keep the wickets, or be the stand-in captain, he will do it. He just hasn’t bowled yet, that is pending. In these death overs, controlling the chase so well, controlling the nerves almost like Dhoni, hats off to KL Rahul. He is excelling at the toughest role in modern cricket – The finisher," he added.
With this victory, India took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. The second ODI will be played in Rajkot on Wednesday (January 14).