KL Rahul’s evolution as a dependable finisher has been one of the positives for India in the ongoing three-match ODI series against South Africa. In this series, Rahul has added a new dimension to his game, anchoring the lower middle order with virtuoso performances.
Notably, the Indian team management has deployed Rahul predominantly at No. 6, and KL Rahul has embraced the role with remarkable clarity. In the first ODI, KL Rahul plundered 60 runs, which was followed by 66 unbeaten in the second game. Meanwhile, South African great Dale Steyn has lauded KL Rahul's game awareness and adaptability.
"He just knows how to do it. Again, if he batted 3 or if he opened the batting, I am pretty certain he would also go on to get the hundreds because of the lack of deliveries faced. But those positions are for other players, and he knows what his role is within this team. And both games so far, he has played fantastic innings,” Steyn said on Star Sports.
"A good, handy knock set by the skipper, KL, and he led his team well in the first one, managed to up the ante when he needed to. And again today, there was a period where he went semi-slow with Jadeja. South Africa bowled well in that little transitional period there, and the last over picked up the most expensive over of the innings,” he added.
The three-match series between both teams is currently leveled 1-1, with India winning the first game and South Africa the second. In the second game, despite centuries from Ruturaj Gaikwad and Virat Kohli coupled with KL Rahul's classy innings, India failed to defend 358. The third and final game will be held in Vishakapatnam on Saturday.