Virender Sehwag Credits Virat Kohli For Making KL Rahul An Outstanding Batsman

Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag has admired Virat Kohli for playing a significant role in KL Rahul’s rise as a potent white-ball cricketer. KL Rahul’s career’s turning point came last year when he delivered compelling performances in the middle-order for India in limited-overs against Australia and New Zealand in early 2020. Virender Sehwag credited Virat Kohli for showing enough confidence in the 28-year old.

KL Rahul had become a topic of discussion in recent times, mainly due to his horror form in the T20Is against England. The classy right-handed batsman registered three single-figure scores in four matches and scratched through to double-figures in that remaining one inning. Thus, he remained under the scanner ahead of the ODI series and he bounced back quickly and in style.

The Karnataka-born cricketer slammed an unbeaten half-century in the first ODI, helping India post a winning total of 317. He followed that with a century in the subsequent match, smacking a 114-ball 108, stitching two century-partnerships with Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant. Even though the men in blue lost the second ODI, Rahul’s return to form was a massively positive sign for India.

That is necessary, when a new player comes in, to make him a part of the playing XI: Virender Sehwag

Virender Sehwag pointed out that KL Rahul has played at almost every slot so far, mainly because due to being a preferred man for Virat Kohli, he has tried to adjust him in the side. Sehwag underlined that it is crucial to make any new player feel like he is part of the playing XI and instill confidence in them in whichever spot they play. Thus, the 42-year old credited Virat Kohli for converting Rahul to the batsman he is today.

“KL Rahul has played at almost every slot. He might be one of the favourites batsmen of captain, hence he has tried to adjust him in every batting position. That is necessary, when a new player comes in, to make him a part of the playing XI. Even if you play him at no. 11, but you have to play them to give them confidence. India captain Virat Kohli has a huge role in making KL Rahul the great batsman he is today,” Sehwag told Cricbuzz.

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