The runs he makes look elegant and his style of batting is pleasing on the eye. When KL Rahul is in flow, there are few better sights as far as aesthetics is concerned. There is little by way of violence or force. He uses the bat more like a tool to create than destroy. It’s no wonder that pundits and pretenders all use the word ‘classy’ to describe him.
The time has also come to see what impact the runs Rahul makes has on the match. This game is not only about how many is scored and how. An important yardstick to judge performance is how is it benefiting or not benefiting the team. The best of players are those who contribute to the cause of the collective entity they are part of.
IPL 2025, MI vs DC: Suryakumar Yadav, Mitchell Santner secure playoffs spot for Mumbai Indians
At 33 years of age and after more than a decade in top-flight cricket, Rahul still gives an impression that he is that boy oozing promise and looking for his big moment. Over 10 years is more than enough to assess what a player is capable of. With due respect to Rahul’s abilities, he doesn’t seem to have that bit extra which galvanises a team.
For all the handsome runs he makes, he is found wanting when the big moment comes. Up to the semi-final in the 2019 World Cup, he looked flawless and got out cheaply against New Zealand to leave India teetering at 5/3. In the 2023 final, he took too long to stabilise the innings with Virat Kolhi and played plenty of dot balls. That prolonged sluggishness cost India the match. Even in Test cricket, he plays one or two knocks of sublime quality before falling quiet for the rest of the series.
The ongoing IPL is a case in point. Rahul looked head and shoulders above the other Delhi Capitals batters. Nobody came near his tally of 504 runs made at a strike rate of 148-plus with the help of a century and three fifties. The quality of shot-making in those knocks made others look like dwarfs. But when it came to the chase against Mumbai Indians in a must-win match, Rahul flopped.
Also Read | 'If I was MS, I would say 'enough'': Ex-India coach weighs-in as calls for Dhoni's retirement gets louder
This is nothing new. Rahul has always made scoring look beautiful in the slam-bang arena of T20s. In the IPL, he has played many glorious innings for the teams he has played for, like Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants, other than Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad. Point to note is, never did his good showing fetch what the team aspired for.
Call it a blotch or whatever, this is something Rahul has to live with. This side of the story is as true as the pristine quality of his shots. Perhaps that is why, for all his extraordinary attributes, he is always rated a rung or two below the batters he shared the Indian dressing room with. It has been no different in the IPL.
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
