Former India pacer Zaheer Khan has drawn comparisons between KL Rahul and batting great Rahul Dravid after the opener’s heroic 84-run knock against England in the opening match of the 5-Test series in Nottingham.
Dravid vs KL Rahul – Zaheer Khan Speaks
Playing his first test in nearly two years, Rahul looked assured at the other end and took three off James Anderson to put India ahead in the first match of the five-Test series.
Rahul buckled down to frustrate England bowlers and by lunch on the third day had already faced 202 balls, scoring an unbeaten 77. Post-lunch, he resumed with a boundary off James Anderson with a drive that he had done so successfully.
However, just three balls later, his luck ran dry as he nicked one to the wicketkeeper to fall as India’s sixth wicket. He faced 214 balls and hit 12 fours.
“‘That’ Rahul also held the wicketkeeping gloves for the team and this Rahul did the same as well. It could either be the Bangalore connection or the connection of their names but he’s very talented too,” Zaheer said.
“Rahul Dravid has done so much for India that this show won’t suffice to talk about it. But yes, seeing such a role model who has done so much for the team compared to him and seeing that he’s being looked at with the same eyes, KL Rahul would be very happy.”
Rahul, who last played a Test before Nottingham in August of 2019, was drafted into the Playing XI after opening batsman Mayank Agarwal was ruled out due to a concussion.
With Shubman Gill already back home, Agarwal injured and Prithvi Shaw having just reached England, Rahul was tasked with the responsibility of opening the innings along with Rohit Sharma, and the India batsman answered the challenge with aplomb, keeping the innings steady with a 12th Test fifty.
Zaheer feels as the series progresses, Rahul will be the player to watch out for.
“KL Rahul will be talked about a lot throughout this series. The way he has utilized the opportunity, the application he has shown, the way he’s leaving balls and even some of the cover drives he has played, the head position and the perfect lean, he surely deserves praise,” Zaheer added.
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