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Former batter Sanjay Manjrekar reckons that KL Rahul seems to be at his best with the bat when he is given the license to go out and play his strokes. According to Manjrekar, the right-handed batter seems a bit lost when he has to think for himself as to how to construct an innings.
India hammered 285-9 declared in 34.4 overs in their first innings on Day 4 of the Kanpur Test against Bangladesh on Monday, September 30. Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal top-scored for the hosts with 72 off 51 balls, while Rahul contributed a crucial 68 off 43 balls.
Speaking on ESPNcricinfo, Manjrekar dissected Rahul's batting mindset under various playing circumstances and commented:
"What you see with KL Rahul, in the two innings that he's looked really good and he's looked relaxed, they have been innings where he's been asked to bat quickly - where India had to score runs quickly. That actually seems to just help KL Rahul free up his mind. And I guess, in many ways, when you look at KL Rahul, even in the IPL or any other format, when he has to think for himself and chart the course, then maybe he finds himself a little outside his comfort zone.
"So, when he has the license, where there is only a one-point agenda, like today, and even in that second innings [in Chennai], although, it was a brief innings, you just see the class of KL Rahul - the shots that he plays. He must be the best reverse-sweeper that India has got. Loved his commitment to the team cause," the 59-year-old went on to add.
Rahul featured in an 87-run fifth-wicket stand with Virat Kohli (47 off 35 balls). The former struck seven fours and two sixes in his aggressive knock before being stumped off Mehidy Hasan Miraz.
How KL Rahul has fared in the Test series against Bangladesh
In three innings of the ongoing Test series against Bangladesh, Rahul has contributed 106 runs at an average of 53 and an impressive strike rate of 92.98.
The right-handed batter looked out of sorts in the first innings of the first Test in Chennai. He hung around for 16 off 52 balls, eventually perishing to Mehidy Hasan, caught at short leg. The 32-year-old hit only one four during his stay at the crease. He scored 22* off 19 balls in the second essay, with the aid of four fours.
