Aakash Chopra believes KL Rahul could be the most expensive player at the IPL 2022 auction if the Punjab Kings does not retain him. KL Rahul won the orange cap scoring 670 runs at an average of 55.83 in IPL 2020, and followed it up by scoring 626 runs averaging 62.6 in 13 IPL 2021 games. As a result, KL Rahul finished as 3rd highest run-getter in IPL 2021.
KL Rahul scored 65 runs off 49 deliveries in the second T20I against New Zealand in Ranchi last night. The stylish right-handed opener also strung together 117 runs for the first wicket with skipper Rohit Sharma.
Aakash Chopra: KL Rahul Is India’s Best T20 Batsman
While lauding India’s opening pair, in a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra was particularly effusive in his praise for KL Rahul.
“Rohit and Rahul, what a tone they have. KL Rahul, I am saying it again – he is India’s best T20 batsman. There is no better batter than him. He will be the most expensive player if he goes into the IPL auction, if the ceiling is not fixed because of the draft,” said Aakash Chopra.
The former India cricketer added that KL Rahul had exhibited amazing consistency after his failures against Pakistan and New Zealand in the recently concluded T20 World Cup 2021, where India was ousted from the group stage.
Aakash Chopra observed: “If you see the last five matches, he has scored three-four fifties in that. I know he didn’t score against Pakistan and New Zealand, but this player is of a different level.”
KL Rahul has struck four half-centuries in India’s last five T20Is. His dismissal for 15 in the first T20I against New Zealand was the only time he failed to reach the fifty-run mark in this period. He struck three consecutive fifties against Afghanistan (69), Scotland (54), and Namibia (50*) in the T20I World Cup after a poor show in the 1st two matches versus Pakistan and New Zealand, both of which India lost.
Aakash Chopra is in awe of the sublime sixes KL Rahul hits over covers against pacers.
He elaborated: “The six he hits over the covers against the fast bowlers, however fast you may bowl, it is kamaal and lajawab. Of course, I am a KL Rahul fan, you know it already. You should also be his fan because the skill level is unbelievable.”
A 117-run stand between KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma topped off a superb team effort with the ball in dewy conditions as India wrapped up victory in the T20I series against New Zealand with one match still remaining. Both openers made half-centuries during which their calculated risks came off at just the right times.
Aakash Chopra Praised Skipper Rohit Sharma For Hitting Amazing Sixes Against The Short Ball
The reputed commentator also had a word of praise for Rohit Sharma.
Aakash Chopra said: “Rohit Sharma started very slowly; he was going at run-a-ball for the first 20 deliveries. He decided around the 10th over that enough respect has been given. After that, a 16-run over from Mitchell Santner and then another big over. He hits amazing sixes against the short ball.”
KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma complemented each other very well. While the former was quick off the blocks, the newly appointed Indian T20I captain also joined the party once he got his eye in to help the hosts register a comfortable seven-wicket win.
Man of the Match Harshal Patel’s slower ball, meanwhile, proved just as effective on international debut as it had done through his record-breaking 2021 IPL season where he took the maximum of 32 scalps, in conjunction with the long boundaries at the JSCA Stadium. He conceded just 25 in his four overs and took the wickets of Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips, both caught in the deep.
Post-powerplay, New Zealand only scored 89 at 6.36 per over, with Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Tim Seifert, and James Neesham combining to score 36 off 51 after the fields spread out. That New Zealand ended up with 153 was largely down to the fast hands of Glenn Phillips, who hit three sixes in scoring 34 off 21.
India 155 for 3 (Rahul 65, Rohit 55, Southee 3-16) beat New Zealand 153 for 6 (Phillips 34, Mitchell 31, Harshal 2-25, Ashwin 1-19) by seven wickets