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"What Annoyed People Was...": Ravi Shastri Opens Up On KL Rahul's Long-Standing Problem

Akshita Patel

Ravi Shastri decodes KL Rahul's form [Source: @Smithian_here, @RaviShastriOfc/X.com]Ravi Shastri decodes KL Rahul's form [Source: @Smithian_here, @RaviShastriOfc/X.com]

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has praised KL Rahul for his excellent batting performance in the ongoing Test series against England. He pointed out a key technical change that has made a big difference in Rahul, as he appears to have entered his prime.

Rahul has been one of India’s top performers in the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy so far. He has scored 375 runs in just 3 Tests, including 2 centuries and a fifty. 

Ravi Shastri Decodes Performance Surge Of KL Rahul

After a long struggle with instability in red ball cricket, KL Rahul finally played as a specialist opener in the ongoing England series. Due to stability and security, Rahul has unleashed his full potential. 

However, former Indian team head coach Ravi Shastri believes that apart from mindset, Rahul also made a slight change to his batting stance. Talking to Sanjana Ganesan on ICC Review, he explained that the batter has opened up his front foot a bit while defending. 

“I think there was not one person in the world who denied his potential and said that he [Rahul] was not talented. What annoyed people was, with that kind of talent, he was not delivering. And in this series, you're seeing the best of Rahul," Shastri said.

This minute change has enabled him to play more with a straighter bat and not get stuck LBW or bowled, which before used to occur very frequently.

"What I am seeing is a slight adjustment he's made with his front foot, in his stance and while defending. It just opened up a bit, which allows his back to come through cleanly. Even when he's hitting it towards mid-wicket, it's the full face of the blade. He doesn't need to close the face of the blade, and fall over and get into trouble like he used to in the past. He would get out leg before, would get out bowled, he would get across too far and then be out leg before as well," he added.

At 33, Rahul is now in his prime. According to Shastri, the next 3-4 years will be crucial for him. He believes Rahul can score many more hundreds, especially as India will play plenty of Tests at home. 

Rahul Nearing Special Milestone

KL Rahul is just 11 runs away from a historic milestone as India gear up for the fourth Test against England at Old Trafford on July 23. 

With 989 runs in 12 Tests in England, Rahul is poised to join the elite 1,000-run club, alongside legends Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Sunil Gavaskar. Despite India trailing 2-1 in the series, Rahul has been in sublime form, scoring 375 runs in three Tests at an average of 62.50.