Former Indian captain Anil Kumble believes that KL Rahul constantly faces excessive pressure. However, Kumble feels Rahul’s performance against Australia in the Champions Trophy semi-final in Dubai should significantly boost his confidence.
During a chase of 265 runs, Rahul entered the game at No. 6 after Axar Patel’s dismissal. Although Axar Patel and Virat Kohli formed a partnership of 44 runs from 52 balls for the fourth wicket, India still required 87 runs from 90 balls. Rahul then built crucial partnerships with both Kohli and Hardik Pandya, guiding India to victory with an undefeated score of 42 runs from 34 balls.
On ESPNcricinfo Match Day, Kumble commented, “Rahul should have batted before Axar Patel. While Axar played well with Virat Kohli, KL Rahul’s presence at that stage could have been more impactful. Rahul has the ability to ensure the team wins once he settles in, consistently delivering such performances. Despite missing an opportunity in the previous match against New Zealand, Rahul is undoubtedly a class player. This innings will surely give him a lot of self-assurance.”
Kumble further added, “There’s always immense pressure on him. When he performs well, it’s seen as expected. But even a single failure brings intense criticism. He was under pressure in the last game, particularly with his wicket-keeping, but today he demonstrated his true potential.”
Sanjay Manjrekar, another expert on the panel, offered a different perspective after the match, contrasting with Rahul’s statement about being comfortable batting in various positions.
Manjrekar remarked, “Sometimes, less time to think might actually benefit KL Rahul, pushing him to focus solely on attacking. Today, he seemed determined to take on the attack, and when he plays aggressively, he truly shines. I’ve rarely seen KL Rahul play a slow, steady innings, grinding out runs for a hundred to win a game, in the way Virat Kohli often does. Perhaps batting lower down the order suits his natural game better.”
Manjrekar concluded, “I am really happy for him. He seems like a very sensitive player, and every mistake or batting failure weighs heavily on him. While I don’t know him personally as well as Anil, he comes across as a genuinely good person, and India needs him in the playing eleven. This kind of innings will be very valuable for him, and he looked genuinely happy at the end of the game.”
