Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has hit out at KL Rahul for maintaining a sluggish approach during DC's clash against CSK on Tuesday in Delhi. DC crashed to an eight-wicket defeat, managing to post only 155/7 after deciding to bat. Sameer Rizvi, 40*, and Tristan Stubbs, 38*, were the only players for DC to step up to drag the side to a fighting total.
“It’s almost like odd and even games, where sometimes he goes after the bowling straightaway, which is the KL Rahul you want. But then he feels like he has earned the right and becomes responsible for the rest of the batters to come and then plays an innings like that. Once you get out after getting to 12 off 12, you've signed the death warrant for your team. After those insipid first six overs, DC were done for the game," Manjrekar said on his Instagram handle.
KL Rahul, who has largely been a star performer for DC in the ongoing season, struggled to gather momentum, scoring only 12 off 13 balls. So far in 10 matches, Rahul has piled up at an average of 49.44 and a strike rate of 180.89. Notably, KL was in sensational form heading into the match against CSK after shattering the record for the highest individual score by an Indian with his unbeaten 152 against Punjab Kings in Delhi.
“KL Rahul, after playing a brilliant innings in the previous match, got 12 off 12 balls in the first six overs. That’s two overs at a strike rate of 100. When you have openers going at 200, you can’t have an opener scoring 12 off 12 in the hope that he’ll explode later,” he added.