Former England skipper Nasser Hussain lavished praise on Indian batter KL Rahul during the ongoing first Test at Headingley, Leeds. Speaking on Sky Sports after Day 3, Hussain expressed deep admiration for Rahul, calling him a major source of inspiration and highlighting him as one of the finest executors of the cover drive.
“I have huge admiration for KL and the way he bats. He is old school. He plays the ball late. He he leaves the ball really well, but he doesn’t go into his shell and just block it. You bowl him a bad ball or front foot or back foot. He just puts it away.”
“He’s one of the best cover drivers I’ve seen in the game. He’s a touch player in the game that’s got so many power hitters in. He’s just got a bit of touch and a bit of class,” he said.
During the same discussion, former India coach Ravi Shastri emphasized KL Rahul’s crucial role in India’s prospects in the Test. At the end of Day 3, India stood at 90/2 in their second innings, leading by 96 runs, with Rahul unbeaten on 47.
“Always been a fluent driver and he’s got the defense to counter challenging conditions and especially situations in the game where the ball is swinging or seeming, he’s got the technique.”
“So he becomes now the key man for India. If you’re talking of batting three sessions, that man has to be there for 3 hours at least, you know, if India has to then reach that score where England are chasing 300 plus,” Shastri added. (2:26)
Ravi Shastri Suggests Key Adjustment For Team India Newcomer
Ravi Shastri also shared his thoughts on Sai Sudharsan, who is making his Test debut in the ongoing match. The left-hander scored 30 off 48 balls in the second innings before being dismissed while attempting to flick a full-length inswinger on the stumps. Discussing Sudharsan’s technique and areas for improvement, Shastri said:
“He’ll realise he needs to stay more upright, keep a steady head, and play straighter rather than falling over and working the ball to the on side. If he adjusts his stance, the bat will come down straighter. England will keep targeting that area, so he must adapt,” Shastri explained.
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