Former Indian assistant coach Abhishek Nayar believes that Kl Rahul’s inconsistencies have emerged from trying to realize the expectations and external noise. The 33-year-old comes from a sensational 137 in India’s First test Reports to England earlier this week at Leeds.
Despite the flashes of Beauty, Rahul’s test career has largely been overwhelming. The stylish batter is on average less than 35 in 59 tests, with its way on average to an even worse 32.67.
Rahul has often started with tough road tours well before he gradually blurres, resulting in Sub-PAR test numbers.
Speaking of the possible reason behind his inconsistencies, Nayar said ESPN Cricinfo:
“You start thinking that this is what you have to do, and this is what you have to achieve, and keep talking to people about your potential and your talent, and you keep adding more pressure and says that everyone thinks I am talented and because I have the potential, I have to make it happen, and those expectations sometimes really come to mind.”
He continued:
“It takes the pleasure from the game. This means you can’t play the kind of cricket you want to play, and above all it completely kills your instinct. So it makes you a very predetermined player, without natural power.”
Despite the mediocre general test numbers, Rahul scored six of his nine centuries in Sena countries. His Leeds Ton was his third in English conditions in the red-ball format.
“Use skill as a medium to tackle the mind” – Abhishek Nayar on his method with KL Rahul
Abhishek Nayar opened up about the use of Kl Rahul’s apparent skills to help him overcome the mental aspect of his game. The 33-year-old debuted for India in tests in 2014 and is perhaps their most versatile seizure on formats.
However, his inconsistencies have forced Indian management to drop the experienced seizure several times in all sizes. While Rahul has again settled in the test and odi formats, he stays out of the T20i setup.
“The only thing I can tell you is, the way I have always tried to tackle things to first tackle the skill and then use skills as a medium to tackle the mind. I have this faith system that if it is intended. If it is not, it’s just not time.
He continued:
“The pitch in that series (Border-Gavaskar Trophy), Bar MCG, had a lot of grass. I remember that you also have to understand him to understand this part of the sport. We want to score hundreds, but sometimes if you score 270 in a series, you have to be happy with it.
“I am not saying that you are satisfied, but you also have to acknowledge that you were not part of the test team, and you return to Australia in a position that you did not hit, and you still managed to hold that position at the end of it.”
Rahul will be back in action when India even looks at the series of five games against England in the second test in Edgbaston from 2 July.
Published by Venkatesh Ravichandran
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