“KL Rahul Is Back To His Original Self”: Anil Kumble Praises India Star After Win vs Australia

Former Indian spinner Anil Kumble lauded batter KL Rahul for his match-winning efficiency in opposition to Australia within the ICC Cricket World Cup opener at Chennai on Sunday, saying that he’s again to his authentic self and the expertise and deep batting he brings to the middle-order augurs nicely for the Men in Blue. A relaxed partnership between Virat Kohli and KL Rahul helped India safe a six-wicket victory over Australia at Chennai’s Chepauk stadium to kickstart their ICC Cricket World Cup marketing campaign.

“It looks like KL Rahul is back to his original self like we have all seen and we all know what he can do on the field. His skill and class on any surface, ability to play spin and pace is great. His consistency is impressive,” mentioned Kumble in a video by ESPNCricinfo.

Kumble mentioned that he has understood his function as a middle-order batter rather well and is phenomenal in opposition to spin.

“Yeah, I think he has understood his role really well. He has an exceptional ability to play spin. That is something you need as a middle-order batter. The other part of KL Rahul, VK and other batters is their ability to hit good deliveries. In 50-overs, it is not only about hitting fours and sixes, it is about soaking pressure on a good deck and playing slightly longer, to the situation. It is something KL has done well. It solves a lot of problems for the team. The experience he brings in that situation and being there till the end really augurs well for India,” mentioned Kumble.

In 14 ODIs this 12 months, KL has scored 628 runs at a median of 78.50 and a strike fee of over 86. He has scored a century and 5 fifties in 13 innings, with the most effective rating of 111*.

KL has clearly taken a liking to the middle-order function. In 11 ODIs at quantity 4 spot, he has 481 runs at a median of 60.12 and a strike fee of above 88. He has two tons and two fifties right here, with the most effective of 111*. The quantity 5 appears to be excellent for him. In 21 ODIs at this place, he has 904 runs at a median of 56.50 and a strike fee of above 96. He has a century and eight fifties in 21 innings, with the most effective rating of 112.

He has batted within the middle-order this 12 months. Overall at these above positions in 32 ODIs, he has 1,385 runs at a median of 57.70. He has scored three tons and 10 fifties within the center order, with the most effective rating of 112.

Coming to the WC match between India and Australia, Australia misplaced Mitchell Marsh for a duck, however opener David Warner (41 in 52 balls with six fours) and Steve Smith (46 in 71 balls with 5 fours) helped the Aussies get better with their 69-run second-wicket partnership. Marnus Labuschagne (27) tried to take the Aussie innings ahead with Smith, however following Smith’s dismissal, Australia confronted a collapse.

The spin trio of Ravindra Jadeja (3/28), Kuldeep Yadav (2/42) and Ravichandran Ashwin (1/34) wreaked havoc on Australia’s line-up of recognised batters whereas the tempo trio of Jasprit Bumrah (2/35), Mohammed Siraj (1/26) and Hardik Pandya (1/28) eliminated the decrease order, sinking Australia from 110/3 to 199 all out in 49.3 overs. Mitchell Starc (28) tried to assist the Aussies play the total quota of fifty overs, however he failed.

In the chase of 200, India misplaced Ishan Kishan, skipper Rohit Sharma and Shreyas Iyer for geese, leaving India at 2/3. Then a 165-run stand between Virat (85 in 116 balls with six fours) and KL Rahul (97* in 115 balls with eight fours and two sixes) helped India safe a six-wicket win. Josh Hazlewood (3/38) was the most effective bowler for Australia.

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