ICC T20 World Cup 2022: "KL Rahul And Rohit Sharma Were Timid In Their Approach": Lalchand Rajput
Published - 12 Nov 2022, 03:15 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:14 AM
Lalchand Rajput, the coach of the Indian team that won the ICC T20 World Cup in 2007, asserts that the T20I games are won in the powerplays, which include both the batting and bowling phases.
He cited KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma’s sluggish starts and mistakes as reasons why the Men in Blue were eliminated from the Australian tournament.
After Alex Hales and Jos Buttler put up a match-winning partnership while chasing 169 at the Adelaide Oval, the sub-continental squad succumbed to England by ten wickets. England was able to win a final spot in the major competition thanks to Buttler’s 80 off 49 deliveries and Hales’ unbeaten 86 off 47 balls.
In an unbroken stand of 170 runs off 96 balls, the pair destroyed the Indian bowlers by slamming 10 sixes and 13 boundaries.
At the ongoing T20 World Cup, fans vented their rage at India’s starting pair of Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul for yet another mistake. To ridicule the starting two of the Men in Blue, they used England’s opening pair as an example.
It’s important to note that Rohit failed to take the initiative while Rahul managed just five runs against Jos Buttler and company. In the crucial game, he left after 27 balls were faced.
Even though Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya contributed with half-centuries, India’s total of 168 runs ultimately proved to be insufficient.
“They never gave a good and attacking start to the team”: Lalchand Rajput
Lalchand Rajput believes that Rohit and Rahul were the most inconsistent players, which is why India never got off to a good or rapid start in the ICC T20 World Cup.
“KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma, who has done well in the IPL and bilateral series, were timid in their approach. They never gave a good and attacking start to the team, which finally came to trouble India against England. The powerplay overs are very important, and India never utilized them to their advantage,” Lalchand Rajput said to India Today.
“Look at other teams. The batters were aggressive from the start, even if they lost one or two wickets, but we went on the back foot the moment we lost a wicket,” Lalchand Rajput added.
The Men in Blue’s next match in the white-ball series will be against New Zealand. They will play three T20Is and as many ODIs, beginning on Friday in Wellington (November 18).
