KL Rahul: The all-weather ODI batter keeping India steady
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KL Rahul has established himself as a versatile middle-order anchor for India's ODI squad, demonstrating the ability to adapt his batting approach to various pitch conditions, including slow turners in Dubai and seaming surfaces in New Zealand. His preparation involves specific net drills, such as facing the old ball from the first delivery in Dubai and focusing on muscle memory through repetition in New Zealand, to ensure he can fulfill roles as an accelerator, accumulator, or rebuilder as the match demands.
Sitanshu Kotak, who has supervised numerous practice sessions, noted that Rahul's experience as a Test opener allows him to remain composed under pressure, rarely appearing flustered in critical moments. Kotak highlighted that Rahul has consistently contributed whenever he has batted since Kotak's arrival, possessing the temperament to rotate strike and hit boundaries when required.
This stability stands in contrast to the criticism Rahul faced after his performance in the 2023 ODI World Cup final, despite his earlier impactful 97 against Australia in Chennai and his crucial contribution in a 200-run chase where he joined at 2/3.