KKR vs LSG: 'KL Rahul Applied His Brain That He Does Not Have To Hit' - Harbhajan Singh Lauds LSG Skipper's Knock Against KKR

Harbhajan Singh has praised KL Rahul for assuming a supporting role to Quinton de Kock in Wednesday’s (May 18) IPL 2022 conflict between the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).

Rahul scored a calm unbeaten 68 off 51 balls, a thump studded with three fours and four sixes. In any case, De Kock took the assault to the KKR bowlers from the opposite end as the LSG openers compiled together a solid 210-run stand.

KL Rahul Is A Player Of Different Level: Harbhajan Singh

During a conversation on Star Sports, Harbhajan Singh was gotten some information about KL Rahul’s thump. He answered:

“He (Rahul) is a player of a different level. He applied his brain that he does not have to hit because an explosive knock was coming from the other end. He understood today that his role was to give Quinton the strike and he gave him the strike regularly.”

The former India spinner added that Rahul played according to the demand of the circumstance. Harbhajan explained:

“When Quinton was not hitting, he also hit sixes in between. But when Quinton started hitting, he took singles and allowed him to play. He is a mature player. Both players complemented each other.”

Harbhajan brought up that Rahul guaranteed that a wicket didn’t fall when De Kock was flying off the handle at the opposite end. He elaborated:

“When you start hitting from both ends, at times you lose a wicket. He hit only when it was required, else he gave the strike and watched the show from the other end, that you hit, it is your day.”

KL Rahul Does Not Play Unconventional Shots And That’s His Biggest Strength: Harbhajan Singh

Rahul and De Kock’s 210-run stand is the most noteworthy opening association in IPL history. They outperformed the past record of 185 runs, held by Jonny Bairstow and David Warner for the SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).

Harbhajan added that KL Rahul is experienced enough about how to make it back among the runs after a couple of low scores. He observed:

“His stature is huge, he is an extremely special player. He knows very well how to come in form. You will only come in form when you spend time at the crease. He doesn’t play unconventional shots, he plays cricketing shots, his basics are good and he sticks to them.”

The cricketer-turned-commentator closed by expressing that Rahul’s dependence on regular shots places him in an advantageous position. Harbhajan explained:

“He runs the game with singles and doubles and when he opens his arms, he does not have any difficulties in hitting the fours and sixes because he plays cricketing shots. I am so happy that the need for runs from him was fulfilled.”

KL Rahul (537 runs) is as of now second in the Orange Cap race in IPL 2022. He trails Jos Buttler (627 runs) by 90 runs, with the Rajasthan Royals (RR) additionally yet to play their last league stage game.

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