Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has noted that KL Rahul has made adjustments to his front foot, enabling him to play more carefully against England’s bowlers.
Despite a promising start to his Test career against Australia, Rahul has struggled to cement a permanent spot in the Test side. The 33-year-old currently has 3,632 runs at an average of 35.3, with 10 centuries and 18 half-centuries.
In the absence of senior players, Rahul has taken on greater responsibility at the top of the order, scoring 375 runs so far in the series, including two centuries and one fifty.
Shastri highlighted the technical changes Rahul has made to his batting that have reduced his susceptibility to being dismissed leg before wicket.
“What I’m seeing is a slight adjustment he’s made with his front foot, both in his stance and while defending,” observed Shastri. “It’s just opened up a bit, which allows his bat to come through cleanly. Even when he’s hitting towards mid-wicket, it’s the full face of the blade. He no longer needs to close the face and fall over, which used to get him into trouble. He would get out leg before, get bowled, or move across too far and be trapped lbw,” he added.
Shastri further emphasised the untapped potential Rahul had previously shown, which is now being realised in the ongoing England Test series.
“I don’t think there was a single person who doubted his potential or said Rahul lacked talent. What frustrated people was that, with such talent, he wasn’t delivering. And in this series, you’re seeing the best of Rahul,” he concluded.
England currently lead the five-match series 2–1, making the upcoming Manchester Test a must-win for Team India.
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