India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has showered praise on KL Rahul after the visitors registered a four-run win (DLS) in the second ODI against New Zealand at Hnry Stadium, Wellington on Saturday.
Rahul scored an unbeaten knock of 26 runs in the run chase of 135 and showed all the calmness in the second innings. The flamboyant batter has all the experience under his belt and he has delivered consistently while batting at number five and six.
“I think KL Rahul’s biggest advantage is that he opens in red-ball cricket, bats in the middle order in white-ball ODIs, and whenever required, he bats at number five where his record is great, or at number six where it is equally good. He is someone who plays according to the needs of the team. Since I joined, I can hardly remember many matches where he got a chance to bat and didn’t contribute,” Kotak said during the pre-match press conference.
Kotak praised Rahul for his temperament and ability to handle pressure. He added that Rahul stays calm in pressure situations. Rahul is also spot on while giving his inputs for the DRS.
“He has played some unbelievable innings. I’ve never seen KL look under pressure. He always appears very composed and stable, and almost every time, he hasn’t let the team down. It’s brilliant to have someone like him who possesses that experience, temperament, and skill set—someone who can rotate strike, hit boundaries, and when needed, clear the ropes easily. It’s a great asset to have someone like KL,” he added.
The batting coach also revealed the reason behind promoting Axar Patel to the number five position in the first two games.
“Yes, one reason is definitely the left-right combination. Another factor is recognizing KL’s strength in finishing games. Furthermore, Axar has previously batted at number five in ODIs quite often; he is a capable batter. The reality is, if a tactic doesn’t yield runs, people question why the player was sent up; if it works, people call it a brilliant move. That’s just how it goes,” Kotak said.
The third ODI between India and New Zealand will be played at Seddon Park, Hamilton, on Tuesday.
