Rahul was not left out on 29 off 21 as India chased down a target of 301 and registered a four-wicket win in a thrilling finish at the BCA Stadium in Kotambi in the first ODI against New Zealand. His calm presence at the crease ensured India crossed the boundary despite a brief wobble.
Chasing the total, India were under pressure at 242/5 as an all-rounder Harshit Rana joined Rahul in the middle. With wickets falling at regular intervals, the Karnataka-born cricketer opted to anchor the innings and manage the chase cautiously.
He carefully stitched together a 37-run partnership with Rana, allowing the youngster to play the attacking role while ensuring New Zealand did not get an opening in the Indian tail. After Rana’s dismissal, Rahul added 27 runs alongside Washington Sundar, taking the responsibility of scoring the bulk of the runs himself.
The right-handed batsman restrained himself from playing big shots until the 49th over. With twelve runs needed off the last twelve deliveries, he decisively switched gears, hitting successive boundaries before wrapping up the match with a six in the penultimate over to seal victory for India.
Aakash Chopra praised Rahul’s maturity and game awareness and drew comparisons with former Indian captain MS Dhoni for his control in pressure situations.
“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. Often you think he will speed up and end the match quickly with a big shot, but he took his time. The first ball he hit in the 49th over was not a boundary ball, but he found the boundary. He has the ability to find the boundaries with ease and he hits his shots if he wants,” Chopra said on Jiostar.
Chopra further highlighted Rahul’s versatility and ability to adapt to different roles within the team setup. The cricketer turned commentator even felt that his batting resembled former Indian captain MS Dhoni.
“He took singles off balls he normally hits, but he waited for the right opportunities. In another way, his versatility is his greatest 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, where he has mastered the chase so well and controlled the nerves, almost like Dhoni, hats off to KL Rahul. He has excelled in the toughest role in the modern cricket: the finisher,” he says. further added.
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