Former England batter Owais Shah has put his weight behind KL Rahul to keep delivering for India in the next year in Test cricket. Rahul scored a fine century in the first innings of the Lord’s Test, which was his second century of the series.
The Indian opener then scored 39 runs in the second innings. Rahul has scored 375 runs in three Test matches at an average of 62.50 in the ongoing series against England.
Shah, the former right-hander, said Rahul went under the radar when Virat Kohli was playing for India. Kohli announced his Test retirement on May 12 after a glorious career at the top level.
Shah said on the Beard Before Wicket podcast, “I think he’s been in the shadow of Kohli. With Kohli at the crease, he was always going to be your main batsman and Rahul was under the radar. But this is his time to flourish. This is the first series without Virat Kohli. Look at the batting order, yes Shubman Gill has done really well, I wasn’t expecting it. I did not think he had it in him to do what he’s done so far.”
“But I still feel KL Rahul is the best batsman in the batting line-up who you should be able to rely on. And it is time for him to deliver the sort of numbers his technique and temperament promise. I feel KL, over 10-15 matches, may just outscore Shubman Gill. I think we will see him really come about in the next 12 months,” he added.
On the other hand, Ravindra Jadeja scored a gutsy knock of 61 runs off 181 balls in the second innings of the Lord’s Test, which was his fourth consecutive fifty of the series.
Speaking of Jadeja, Shah said, “He (Jadeja) got a couple of fifties in this game and four back-to-back in the series. The way I saw the game last night, the only two guys who may spoil the English party could have been Rishabh Pant or Ravindra Jadeja. They both have the ability to get in, score quick runs, and take fielders on. Six-hitting is not an issue for them. If one of them comes off, all you’ve got to do is bat around them, India should and might be favorites. I know Jadeja got some runs, he didn’t look like getting out. It just felt like everybody else couldn’t quite give them the support.”
The fourth Test match between England and India will be played at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester, from July 23 onwards.
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