KL Rahul, one of the most stylish batsmen in the game, has struggled for runs in the past, and his recent batsmanship in the ongoing IPL has been nothing short of subpar. Throughout the long term, KL has arisen as the foundation of any IPL group he has played for, particularly over the most recent three years. He has consistently scored runs, but the rate at which he has done so has alarmed cricket analysts and team management.
Regardless of completing as the main run-getter in the 2020 IPL, his group, the Punjab Lords, couldn’t meet all requirements for the end of the season games. He has scored runs, but his strike rate has sometimes been questionable, which has sparked harsh criticism from a number of commentators.
Rahul, a key member of the Indian team, will play an important role for the Men in Blue at the World Cup, which will be held in India later this year. Other than being a snappy hitter, KL likewise can wear the keeping gloves and give the best equilibrium that the group needs.
Rahul is likely to assume the role of goalkeeper in the absence of Rishabh Pant, who is unlikely to recover in time for the World Cup. He also plays safe outfield and has helped the team with his fielding and catching efforts.
Keeping this in mind, let’s take a look at KL Rahul’s three greatest fielding performances across all formats:
1) Litton Das run out in T20 World Cup 2022
Litton Das’ incredible knock in a virtual quarterfinal of the T20 World Cup last year was ended by Rahul’s exceptional athleticism.
Pursuing 186 to dominate the match, Bangladesh blasted away during the powerplay, riding on an exceptional thump from Litton.
He appeared poised to lead his team close to the finish line and spared no Indian bowlers. Fortunately for the Indian group, it began to rain in Adelaide, and there was a delay in play.
When Bangladesh returned after the rain break, the game was still heavily tilted in their favor despite the fact that they were ahead on the DLS par score.
Litton lost his footing when his partner Najmul Hossain Shanto called for a single in the slick conditions. KL got it early and stirred things up around town, with Litton barely shy of his wrinkle.
India won the match by 5 runs and advanced to the semifinals thanks to their incredible fielding skills.
2) Remarkable catch of Usman Khawaja in the 2023 Boundary Gavaskar Prize
Rahul made an acrobatic catch during the home Test series against Australia earlier this year to send Usman Khawaja, who was playing hard, back.
On the first day of the season of the third Test in Delhi, Khawaja endeavored a converse range, which tracked down KL at in reverse point.
Khawaja appeared to be in great form on a wicket that was relatively challenging for batting. He was unbeaten on 81 when Rahul’s skill in the field sent him back to the pavilion.
From Rahul’s left, it was an outstretched dive that eventually stuck. However, India’s stellar fielding was in vain as they lost the Test.
3) Outstanding stop near the goal line against England in 2021
In the opening T20I of Britain’s visit through India back in 2021, Rahul delivered one of the best handling endeavors close to the long-off limit.
England’s opening duo of Jos Buttler and Jason Roy got them off to a good start as they chased a mediocre target of 125.
Buttler danced down the track on the first delivery of the fifth over bowled by Axar Patel, but he was unable to reach the ball’s pitch, so he continued with the shot. Although it almost went over the ropes, it was more like a slice of the outside.
Rahul had the ball for quite a while however needed to repel it back on the field as it was serenely going over the ropes.
Realizing that his momentum would carry him over the ropes, he dived backwards, grabbed the catch out of thin air, and then had the fortitude to throw it back into play.