Former India pacer Zaheer Khan lavished praise on KL Rahul‘s form since his return from injury as he addressed the batter’s intent in IND vs ENG 1st Test in Hyderabad. The Karnataka batter displayed his batting prowess in the 1st innings, falling short of a well deserved 100.
Zaheer Khan praises KL Rahul after IND vs ENG Hyderabad heroics
Speaking on Jio Cinema after Day 2, Zaheer Khan noted that the ‘KL Rahul 2.0’ was different from the previous version before his injury. The ex-India pacer said that injuries had earlier prevented Rahul from being consistent and that he performed splendidly in the World Cup, IND vs SA series and his 86-run knock in Hyderabad on Friday. Khan further defended KL’s dismissal, adding that it wasn’t a wicket taking delivery which he got out to.
“If you see his career, the journey has been impacted because of injury. He was coming in good form and then missed matches because of injuries. So he missed a stretch that is required in international cricket when you are in good form.”
“If you keep that in mind, you can call it version 2.0 because he played a few excellent knocks in the World Cup, scored a very good hundred in South Africa, and here also, although he missed a century, it was an extremely good knock,” the former India pacer added.
Coming to bat at number 4, KL Rahul took the task on himself to lead India’s charge. He slammed 8 fours and 2 sixes to reach 86 runs from just 123 runs. Hitting the ball all across the park, KL claimed that his century against South Africa helped him a great deal.
“The 100 in SA has given me some confidence, also having played 6-7 months of cricket since my injury. The aim was to stay positive when I went out to bat. Very different to that of South Africa (on the pitch) – a bit of turn, it became slower and slower as the ball went old,” KL Rahul said after stumps on Day 2.
