It’s A Half-Century For KL Rahul, But The Trolling Doesn’t Stop
If not for De Kock’s knock, Lucknow would have lost the game in a jiffy
On Wednesday against Kolkata Knight Riders, KL Rahul scored an unbeaten 68 and went on to become the first Indian player to cross the 500-run mark for the fifth successive IPL season. When it comes to consistency, Rahul has been way ahead of other batters in the tournament, but his strike rate has always divided opinions.
This season he has been averaging over 48 at a strike rate of 135, which is quite good for most of the players. But Rahul himself has raised the expectations with his past performances, as he has repeatedly shown the ability to shift through the gears seamlessly in the early overs.
500 runs in IPL for @klrahul for the fifth straight season. Becomes the first Indian player to achieve this feat.#TATAIPL pic.twitter.com/Pt9XaJFdBt
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 18, 2022
But there has been a sudden change in his approach ever since 2018. He now chooses to hold himself and go berserk only in death overs, which many fans believe is not the right approach in the shortest format of the game.
Yesterday, on a flat and insipid pitch, Rahul stayed on until the end but could only manage seven boundaries in 51 balls. The LSG skipper was unable to capitalise on the field restriction, scoring just 18 out of as many balls in the Powerplay. In the ongoing season, Rahul’s 177 runs in Powerplay has come at a strike-rate of 98.88, which is among the lowest in the league.
Another KL RAHUL world class innings in power play
— DREAM11s STATS (@fantasy1Cricket) May 18, 2022
BALL – 18
Run – 18
4s – 1
6s – 1
10 runs in 4s and 6s
Another 8 run in 16 balls in power play
Great #IPL2022
Even in the death overs, KL Rahul was unable to break free, and he was bailed out by a magnificent century from Quinton de Kock. De Kock started cautiously but he finished on an explosive note, scoring three consecutive sixes off Tim Southee in the 19th over and four successive fours off Andre Russell in the last over. He finished the inning on 140, which came in just 70 balls, with the help of 10 fours and as many sixes.
KL might be the most underwhelming cricketer that I have seen at his peak. He can easily be a Jos Buttler or David Warner in T20s, but chooses not to.
— Gurkirat Singh Gill (@gurkiratsgill) May 18, 2022
And before someone comes up with batting depth up response, it's not that RR has batting depth or DC's middle order has fired.
If not for De Kock’s knock, Lucknow would have lost the game. With 21 needed off the last over, Marcus Stoinis conceded 18 off the final over before turning the match on its head by claiming two wickets on the last two balls.
Here are some reactions on KL Rahul’s knock:
KL Rahul Scoring Rate – 133
— Lord Rinku (@Elon_mishra) May 18, 2022
Rest of the Match Scoring Rate – 184
Greatest Statpadder for a Reason
I'd love to see how KL Rahul would approach T20 batting for a side he doesn't have too much responsibility for – unleash the beast in the Hundred, BCCI.
— Kieran (@BerbaSpinCric) May 18, 2022
If LSG loose this match,only reason will be the selfish inning 68 on 50 odd delivery by the most selfish batsman @klrahul #KKRvLSG
— Maddy (@Maddy071989) May 18, 2022
Looking at strike rate looks like #QDK & #klrahul playing on a different surfaces, if somehow #kkr managed to chase down this score #klrahul' s innings will be game changer!!
— Shubham Mane (@Shmane29) May 18, 2022
Featured Image Source: Lucknow Super Giants