KL Rahul was one of the stars in India’s series-clinching 16-run victory over South Africa in the second T20I at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati on Sunday (October 2).
Opening the innings, the right-hander slammed 57 off 28 balls, leading the foundation of India’s mammoth total – 237/3 in 20 overs.
Before this knock, Rahul had come under the scanner for his cautious batting approach. He had copped criticism for his strike rate in the Asia Cup 2022 followed by the home T20I series against Australia and the first T20I against South Africa.
Speaking after the Guwahati T20I, the Indian vice-captain hit back at his detractors, saying he bats according to the "demand of the innings."
"Yes, going at a higher strike rate was a demand of this innings," Rahul said at the post-match press conference.
"When you are batting first you obviously want to give yourself a couple of overs to assess the conditions to see what are the shots that you can play, you talk to your partner."
"You sort of give yourself a target and then you try and play accordingly. We've always tried to be more aggressive, take a lot of risks. That was what needed from me today and I'm happy that it came off today," he added.
KL Rahul’s dazzling half-century was studded with 5 fours and 4 sixes. Two of the sixes were a result of his impressive wrist work.
"Yes, there's a certain gift all of us have, that's why we are playing for the country. We have gotten this far because there's naturally certain talents.
"It's T20 cricket, you have to get in position to try to hit sixes. When the balls come at 145kmph, you don't have much time to see the ball and react, you hit with instinct. It's a lot of practice over the years," he said.
India’s aggressive approach while batting was a conscious effort post the last T20 World Cup debacle in UAE where they failed to qualify for the knockouts.
"That effort has been there for last 10-12 months since the last World Cup, that (scoring big runs batting first) is something that we have consciously tried to get better at. We've done it whenever we've gotten opportunities, something took back and that was our learning."
In reply, the Proteas rode on David Miller’s whirlwind century (106* off 47 balls) to reach 221/3 in their allotted 20 overs.
Defending the under-fire Indian bowlers, Rahul said: "If it was such a big concern then I don't think we would've won so many games. It's never that one skill that wins you games."
"We always want to keep getting better as a team. Today was one of those days when our bowlers couldn't execute seven out of 10 balls or so but that doesn't mean it will keep happening. This is something we need to learn and get better at."
"In the last game they restricted the team to 106 and today they went for runs. You have to take into consideration the conditions also, the pitch," he further remarked.
(With PTI inputs)
