KL Rahul performance in the ongoing third Test between India and Australia at the Gabba, Brisbane. Pujara highlighted Rahul’s resilient 84, which helped India avoid the follow-on and put them in a stronger position in the match.
KL Rahul’s technique and resilience in the third Test against Australia at the Gabba .KL Rahul Key Role in Indias Fightback at the Gabba”
Table of Contents
KL Rahul Solid Batting Technique at the Gabba
KL Rahul brilliant knock of 84 runs, his second half-century of the series, has been instrumental in India’s fightback. With 231 runs from five innings so far, Rahul’s technique has been one of the standout features of India’s batting in this series. According to Cheteshwar Pujara, Rahul’s defensive technique and his ability to leave balls effectively have been key to his success in challenging conditions.
Pujara, speaking on Star Sports, emphasized Rahul’s perfect position while defending or leaving the ball. “Whenever he’s defending or leaving the ball, he’s in a very good position,” Pujara said. He explained that Rahul’s awareness of his off stump allows him to make smart decisions while batting. “He knows where his off stump is, and even while defending, he allows the ball to come and hit his bat instead of reaching out for it,” Pujara added.[1]
The Art of Leaving the Ball
Pujara also praised Rahul’s ability to leave the ball with precision. He explained that unlike many others who tend to chase wide deliveries, Rahul is extremely balanced when leaving balls outside the off stump. “He’s covering his off stump, looking to play the ball, but once he knows it’s outside the line, he keeps his bat close to his body,” Pujara explained.
In addition, Pujara noted that Rahul’s leaves have been executed with a high level of control, preventing unnecessary edges. “Some balls did nip back in, but Rahul kept his bat close, and even when he edged, the ball didn’t carry,” Pujara said, highlighting how Rahul’s soft hands have been a key factor in his survival.[2]
The Key Partnership Between Rahul and Jadeja
Pujara also praised the crucial 67-run stand between KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja, which helped India gain momentum in the innings. “The partnership between KL and Jadeja was the standout partnership of this innings, and now things are looking a lot better for India,” Pujara remarked.
The stand not only gave India valuable runs but also demonstrated that the Gabba pitch, while challenging, is not unplayable. According to Pujara, if players apply themselves well, the pitch provides ample opportunity to score runs. “KL has shown that if you apply yourself, you can score runs on this pitch,” Pujara said, adding that the pitch is not as difficult to bat on as some may have thought.[3]
KL Rahul: A Rising Star in Indian Cricket
Full Name: Kannanur Lokesh Rahul
Born: 18 April 1992, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
Role: Wicket-keeper batter
Batting Style: Right-handed
KL Rahul is an Indian international cricketer renowned for his versatile batting skills. He plays for the Indian national team and is also a prominent figure in the Indian Premier League (IPL), currently representing Delhi Capitals. Rahul is a right-handed wicket-keeper batter and represents Karnataka in domestic cricket.[4]
Early Career and Debut
KL Rahul made his Test debut for India on 26 December 2014 against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), marking the beginning of a successful international career. His impressive performances at the domestic level for Karnataka paved the way for his selection in the national team. Rahul’s ability to adapt to different formats of the game has made him one of India’s most valuable cricketers.[5]
One-Day International (ODI) & T20I Success
In 2016, KL Rahul made his ODI debut against Zimbabwe, where he made an immediate impact by scoring a century. His knock of 100 from 115 balls*, which included a six off the last ball, was the only six of the match, making it even more memorable. Rahul became the first Indian cricketer to score an ODI century on debut.
The same tour also saw Rahul making his T20I debut for India. Known for his aggressive and composed batting style, Rahul quickly earned a reputation as a versatile top-order batsman.
Record-Breaking Achievements
KL Rahul is known for his record-breaking feats across all formats of international cricket. He holds the distinction of being the fastest player to score a century in all three formats (Test, ODI, and T20I), achieving this remarkable feat in just twenty innings.
Career Statistics
| Competition | Matches | Runs Scored | Batting Average | 100s/50s | Top Score | Catches/Stumpings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 54 | 3,084 | 34.26 | 8/16 | 199 | 66/– |
| ODI | 77 | 2,851 | 49.15 | 7/18 | 112 | 63/5 |
| T20I | 72 | 2,265 | 37.75 | 2/22 | 110* | 23/1 |
| FC | 93 | 6,760 | 44.18 | 18/32 | 337 | 94/– |
IPL Career
Rahul has also been a prominent figure in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He has played for several teams over the years, including Royal Challengers Bangalore, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings), where he served as captain. In 2022, he joined the Lucknow Super Giants and continued to impress with his performances. For the 2025 season, Rahul will be playing for the Delhi Capitals.
Notable Contributions and Awards
- ODI World Cup 2023: KL Rahul played a key role in helping India secure second place in the 2023 ICC Men’s ODI World Cup.
- Asia Cup 2018: Rahul was part of the Indian squad that won the Asia Cup in the UAE.
- Asia Cup 2023: He contributed to India’s victory in the 2023 Asia Cup held in Pakistan-Sri Lanka.
Personal Life
Born in Bangalore, Karnataka, KL Rahul hails from a sporting family. His father, Lokesh Rahul, is a renowned architect, and his mother, Rajeshwari, is a professor. Rahul’s interest in cricket began at an early age, and he has since become one of the most consistent and reliable players for India in all formats.[6]
Importance of Ravindra Jadeja’s Contribution
In addition to Rahul’s efforts, Ravindra Jadeja’s contribution with the bat was also highlighted by Pujara. Jadeja, who was selected as a batter for this series, showed why he was chosen by contributing effectively to the partnership. “Even an important contribution from Ravindra, because he was picked as a batter, and he showed why he was picked,” Pujara concluded.
Conclusion
KL Rahul’s solid batting technique, especially his art of leaving the ball, has been one of the standout aspects of India’s performance in the third Test. Pujara’s praise of Rahul’s approach underscores his growing importance as a top-order batsman for India, particularly in difficult conditions. As India aims to build on this strong foundation, Rahul’s resilience and composure will be key to their hopes of success in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
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