Parthiv Patel, a former keeper-batter, recently described how Team India’s KL Rahul had several difficulties after suffering a thigh injury. Rahul had a thigh injury during the IPL 2023 that forced him out of play for many months.
Patel heaped admiration on Rahul for his impressive recovery, saying that the latter was able to do so due of his mental fortitude. In India’s opening 2023 World Cup encounter against Australia in Chennai on Sunday, Rahul shone with the bat.
KL When the Men in Blue were down by 200 runs and at 2/3, Rahul came out to bat. Under pressure, he played a resolute innings and finished unbeaten on 97 to lead his team to a crucial six-wicket victory.
Rahul’s performance was discussed on Cricbuzz, and Parthiv Patel stated:
“Look at those runs after making a comeback. He went through a lot of turmoil in his career. The injury came in at a very wrong time. But he worked really hard and has never looked back after that. That hundred against Pakistan was very crucial, and he has been consistent after that.”
“Today’s knock is another testimony to why everyone talks about him so highly. His timing was so good. Even on this difficult, slow wicket, he was timing it brilliantly. His mental strength was key for me,” he added.
Parthiv Patel
Following a poor start, Virat Kohli and KL Rahul’s 165-run fourth-wicket stand put India in command. While Rahul stayed undefeated on 97, Kohli was removed after reaching 85.
Parthiv Patel defends KL Rahul’s attempt to reach a hundred in the World Cup opener
When India needed five runs to win, KL Rahul needed a four and a six to get his century. While attempting to knock a four off Pat Cummins’ bowling, he misjudged the timing and the ball soared over the ropes for a maximum.
Rahul, according to Parthiv Patel, did nothing wrong by attempting to reach the three-figure milestone. He stated that the batter deserved to do so because he had already guaranteed the team’s victory. He said:
“He should be really proud of the kind of innings he played. It was mathematically possible to get that hundred, and he was trying that. You think about hundreds when you have put your team in a position from where you can’t lose. He had done that. If you are thinking about going for your hundred after that, there is nothing wrong with it.”
Parthiv Patel
KL Rahul was named Player of the Match for his crucial knock. With a net run rate of 0.883, India is presently ranked fifth in the 2023 World Cup points table.