IPL 2021: Loved KL Rahul’s Strike Rate During His 91-Run Knock Against Rajasthan Royals, Says Sanjay Manjrekar

Sanjay Manjrekar is very impressed by KL Rahul’s strike rate in batting during Punjab Kings vs Rajasthan Royals match on Monday (April 12). The Punjab Kings skipper KL Rahul smashed 91 runs off just 50 balls and played at a strike rate of 182 during his innings. With his spectacular knock, he took Punjab Kings to a mammoth total of 221-6 batting first.

Last year in IPL 2020, KL Rahul was the highest run-scorer in the tournament with 670 runs in 14 matches. He smashed 5 fifties and 1 hundred. However, his low strike rate of 129+ raised many questions. But in this season, KL Rahul has started strongly when it comes to his strike rate in batting with his quick-fire knock in the first game of IPL 2021.

Loved KL Rahul’s Strike Rate, Says Sanjay Manjrekar

Former Indian batsman Sanjay Manjrekar said that he loved Rahul’s 91-run knock but he loved his strike rate even more.

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“Loved the 91 but loved the strike rate even more! If KL Rahul bats at a strike rate of over 140, which he can easily, Punjab Kings will have a much better IPL than the last,” Sanjay Manjrekar said.

Earlier, Punjab Kings’ new batting coach Wasim Jaffer had mentioned that Rahul will play aggressively in IPL 2021.

“KL batted a little timidly last season. He probably batted deeper because there was not much batting after No. 5, and Glenn Maxwell was not firing.

“He took that responsibility on himself to try and stay at the crease and get the job done. This time around, everyone will see an aggressive KL Rahul for sure,” Jaffer had told the Times of India.

Batting as an opener, Rahul smashed 7 fours and 5 sixes for his 91-run knock. He missed reaching his century after Rahul Tewatia caught his shot at the boundary in the 20th over. While chasing 222, Rajasthan Royals’ skipper Sanju Samson smashed a century (119). Rajasthan Royals were highly expected to win the match with 13 runs needed off the final over.

However, great bowling by Punjab Kings’ Arshdeep Singh sent the game to the final ball with 5 runs needed off 1 delivery. Sanju Samson tried to hit a lofted shot on the offside but he was caught well inside the boundary. Rajasthan Royals lost the match by 4 runs to Punjab Kings but Samson was awarded player of the match for his magnificent century.