Virender Sehwag has highlighted that there is no defined way of staging a comeback and lauded KL Rahul for finding his own path.
KL Rahul played a solid 84-run knock that helped Team India take a first-innings lead against England in the drawn first Test. The stylish opener credited his shot selection for his successful return to the longest format of the game.
Virender Sehwag (Image Credit: Twitter)
Virender Sehwag: KL Rahul’s Improved Performance Was Due To Shot Selection
During a discussion on Sony Sports, Virender Sehwag pointed out that one can take a defensive or attacking approach while making a comeback and KL Rahul had to choose the one appropriate for him.
“There are two types of mindset, you can make a comeback either in Rahul Dravid style, where you don’t play a shot at all and become extremely defensive, or you play aggressively in Sehwag style. Both are difficult, so you have to find your own way which is best for you.”
The former Indian opener spoke in glowing terms about KL Rahul stating that he has worked on his shot selection. While citing the example of Virat Kohli, Virender Sehwag highlighted that it is the most vital ingredient for success at the international level.
“He said a very good thing that the improvement was caused by his shot selection. It is the most important thing, if your shot selection is good, the performance will surely happen. Virat Kohli is so consistent because his shot selection is very good. He knows which shots he can play and which he can’t. He sticks to that even after scoring a century.”
KL Rahul | Photo Credit: PTI
Virender Sehwag added that KL Rahul played shots based on the merit of each delivery and was not ultra-aggressive.
“So that is the line I liked the most in KL Rahul’s interview that he was looking to play too many shots earlier but in this innings his shot selection was most impressive. He only played shots if the ball was pitched up or short, he either left or defended the good length deliveries.”
KL Rahul’s 84-run knock came off 214 deliveries and was studded with 12 hits to the fence. Playing his first Test in nearly two years, KL Rahul scored a tenacious 84 off 214 balls, spending nearly 350 minutes out in the middle of the crease. Thanks to his performance, India managed to get a crucial 95-run lead over England in the first innings.
KL Rahul Shines On Comeback After 2019 As Virender Sehwag Is Hopeful That He Will Go Forward And Play Many More Substantial Knocks
With KL Rahul also saying that he has worked on his trigger movement, Virender Sehwag opined that the 29-year-old will only grow from strength to strength from here as he seems to have addressed his issues.
“Sometimes there are small-small things that you need to pay attention to. So your friend or coach who has been seeing you for long can tell you better, identifying that is very necessary. He has identified that now and he will go forward from here and not back.”
Mayank Agarwal[photo: Twitter]
KL Rahul only played the first Test against England after Mayank Agarwal was ruled out from the 1st Test due to a blow to his head. The former will hope to continue in the same vein in the remaining Tests and cement his place in the Indian team at the top of the order.
KL Rahul, who last played a Test before Nottingham in August of 2019, was drafted into the Playing XI after opening batsman Mayank Agarwal was ruled out due to a concussion. He played his last Test way back in 2019 August against and in West Indies. With Shubman Gill already back home, Mayank Agarwal injured and Prithvi Shaw having just reached England, KL Rahul was tasked with the responsibility of opening the innings along with Rohit Sharma, and he answered the challenge with aplomb, keeping the innings steady with a 12th Test fifty.
