Rahul
Credits: AFP

While KL Rahul’s remarkable consistency in recent times has surprised many, his childhood coach Jairaj Muthu is certainly not of them. Having seen Rahul since his early days, Muthu is well aware of his ward’s batting abilities as he revealed the batting star’s obsession with batting.

After being in and out of the team for quite some time, Rahul is finally getting a chance to prove himself. And the Karnataka star is grabbing his chances with both the hands. He has not looked back since this year’s Indian Premier League.  Playing for Kings XI Punjab, Rahul opened the innings and scored a staggering 659 runs in 13 games including a 14-ball fifty which is the fastest-ever fifty in IPL.

Childhood Coach Reveals KL Rahul's Obsession With Batting

He, however, was surprisingly left out from the playing eleven for the first T20I against Ireland. The chance came in the second game and he capitalised by scoring 70 off 36. The stunning display helped him retain his place in the playing eleven for the first T20I against England and continued his red-hot form with the bat. He slammed an unbeaten 101 for 54 balls as India chased down 160 with 10 balls to spare.

Childhood Coach Reveals KL Rahul's Obsession With Batting
Credits: Getty

“Rahul loves to bat. There isn’t anything which is closer to his heart than his batting. He doesn’t spend anything less than six hours per day in the nets. Plus, whenever he is at home, his father gives him throwdowns. He is very committed. Batting means everything to him,” Jairaj told the Times of India.

“Even when he is sleeping, if someone wakes him up at midnight and tells him to bat, he will,” says Muthu. “Even when he is informed in the nets about his last six deliveries, he will make it 10 and again ask for another round of bowling. He is very hungry,” he added.

Muthu further said that constant injuries made Rahul to introspect.

“International cricket is all about how you handle pressure and Rahul did a lot of mental preparation while recovering from his injuries. Injuries gave him time to think,” the coach said.

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The coach went on to say that Rahul is ready for all formats, not just T20s.

“From IPL onwards, he has decided not to play across the line, no matter what. He is also the best reverse sweep player, but he isn’t playing that shot. He moves into the line of the ball and doesn’t play away from the body,”  he said.

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