ICC T20 World Cup 2022: Lot Of Bowlers Will Be In Trouble If He Manages To Do That - Shane Watson Wants KL Rahul To Play Without Fear

India will face off against South Africa in the second match of the three-match T20 series at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on Sunday, October 2. The Rohit Sharma-led team won the first T20I against the Temba Bavuma-led team at the Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram, on Wednesday, September 28.

Kl Rahul’s strike rate was under the scanner during the Asia Cup and the ongoing home series against South Africa. Rahul scored an unbeaten 51 runs off 56 balls in a 107-run chase in the first T20I against South Africa. The opener was criticized for his low strike rate.

Former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson wants KL Rahul to bat with a “nothing to lose” approach in the T20 World Cup starting later this month. Watson feels that Rahul bats at his best with an attacking approach.

Kl Rahul Bats At His best, When He Is Aggressive – Shane Watson

Speaking to PTI, Watson said Rahul needs to be aggressive from ball one in the World Cup. “KL Rahul is one of my favourite batters. To me when he is batting at his best, when he is aggressive, he takes the game on and is not trying to control the game.”

“He has got that skill, when he is just reacting to the ball coming down, he has all the shots all around the ground against the best bowlers in the world. “I love seeing him when he feels like he’s got nothing to lose, then he can even strike at 180 without taking too much risk. If he is able to do that (in Australia), there will be a lot of bowlers in trouble,” said one of the best all-rounders to have played for Australia.

India’s Fast Bowling Is Biggest Concern – Shane Watson

Jasprit Bumrah’s availability for the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 is yet to be confirmed and India’s fast bowling attack appears to be their weakest link. If Bumrah misses the World Cup, Watson wants Mohammad Siraj to replace him.

“India have certainly got the batting to do incredibly well in Australian conditions, but the biggest question mark is around their fast bowling.”

“The spinners, Axar Patel and Yuzi Chahal, are as good as anyone in the world in all conditions, but the fast bowling without Bumrah in particular, whether they can execute skills under pressure at the back end of the game. That is where teams will be trying to expose India.”