Former India cricketer Gautam Gambhir praised Punjab Kings (PBKS) captain KL Rahul and said he probably has more ability than Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Rahul played a sensational knock against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and scored an unbeaten 42-ball 98 runs.

After Punjab's win by 6 wickets, Gambhir was in awe of Rahul and he said the Punjab skipper has more shots than anyone else in India. "If you can bat like this, why don’t you bat like this? He probably has more ability than Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. 

"I am not saying it just because I have seen KL Rahul doing it today, he just has it. He has got more shots than anyone else in India. And he showed that again,” he said on ESPNCricinfo.

ALSO READ: IPL 2021: "No better feeling than middling the ball and watch it fly over the park," says KL Rahul

Rahul looked unstoppable as he smashed every bowler and hit 8 sixes and 7 fours. His innings helped Punjab chase down 135 runs in only 13 overs. However, the win wasn't enough for PBKS to qualify for the playoffs. 

The 29-year-old has been under criticism for his low strike rate. But Rahul had already clarified that he is aware of it but can't change his batting style due to the team's requirements. 

Gambhir feels Rahul should continue playing the same way he batted against CSK. He also said PBKS could have qualified for the playoffs had Rahul played like this throughout the tournament. 

"Just go play, man. Let the world cherish, not only India. Show this world your ability. When people talk about Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, they will probably talk about you. Because you have got many more shots compared to anyone else in India," Gambhir said.

"Had he played like this, Punjab Kings would’ve qualified by now. It is probably the pressure of captaincy, I don’t know what it is, but the team management can answer."

(With ESPNCricinfo Inputs)