Nasser Hussain, the former England batsman and skipper, heaped praise on Indian batsman opener KL Rahul who won the Orange Cap for scoring most runs in IPL 2020.
Nasser Hussain termed KL Rahul as ‘one of the best white-ball players going around’ for his exploits in the recently-concluded IPL 2020.
Nasser Hussain: KL Rahul Is One Of Best White Ball Players
KL Rahul walked away with the Orange Cap award, presented to the highest run-scorer of an IPL season despite his team Kings XI Punjab not making it to the play-offs of IPL 2020.
“Rahul, I think, is one of the best white-ball players going at the moment,” Hussain told Skysports.
Nasser Hussain commented on the ease with which he plays his shots by saying he is a good role model for youngsters dreaming of making their cricket count.
“He is a good lesson for any young boy or girl about how to stroke a cricket ball and not over-hit it. Rahul strokes it beautifully,” Hussain added.
The KXIP captain amassed 670 runs in 14 matches at a staggering average of 55.83 including a highest score of an unbeaten 132* which is also the all-time best score by an Indian in IPL. His 132 not out is highest score in IPL 2020.
KL Rahul, who is currently in Australia as part of the Indian side for the three T20Is, three ODIs and four-Test series, was picked in Nasser Hussain’s IPL XI and was named captain for the 13th season.
Nasser Hussain Picks Shikhar Dhawan As KL Rahul’s Opening Partner
Nasser Hussain picked Delhi Capitals left-hander Shikhar Dhawan as KL Rahul’s opening partner in his side.
Shikhar Dhawan had scored 618 runs in 17 matches and finished as the second-highest run-getter of IPL behind KL Rahul. He averaged 44.14 and became first batsman to hit 2 successive back to back tons. The duo were the only players to score above 600 runs.
“These two openers are so pleasing on the eye. T20 is about muscle and hitting the ball but it’s also about stroking the ball and Dhawan and Rahul had magnificent tournaments,” Nasser Hussain said.
Nasser Hussain’s team of the tournament: KL Rahul (captain), Shikhar Dhawan, Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, AB de Villiers (wk), Hardik Pandya, Jofra Archer, Rashid Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult.
Both KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan will be one of the frontrunners to be open for India when the Virat Kohli led side begins their Australia tour with the ODI series in Sydney on November 27. The tour will comprise of 3 ODIs, as many T20Is and 4 Tests.