Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has lavished praise on opener KL Rahul, calling him a “total team man” and suggesting that the stylish right-hander is yet to realize the full extent of his own talent. The comments came during Day 3 of the ongoing India vs England Test match in Leeds, where Rahul impressed with a composed 47* at stumps.
🏏 Gavaskar on Rahul’s Understated Brilliance
Speaking to broadcasters, Gavaskar highlighted Rahul’s technical finesse and mental composure, especially under pressure. He noted that Rahul’s muted celebrations and calm demeanor reflect a rare equanimity in modern cricket.
“He has even been asked to keep wickets. He does that for the team, and that’s what you want. One thing everybody agrees about KL Rahul is that he doesn’t know how good a player he is. I mean, he would agree,” Gavaskar remarked.
🎯 Technical Perfection and Shot-Making
Gavaskar was particularly impressed by Rahul’s cover drives and off-side strokeplay, describing them as “thrilling to watch.” He emphasized that Rahul possesses all the shots—on both sides of the wicket—but has yet to consistently convert his potential into big scores.
“He’s got so much talent… the flick, the straight drive, the cover drive—there’s perfection in that,” Gavaskar added.
📊 Rahul’s Overseas Record Shines
Despite not scoring a Test century at home since 2016, Rahul has been prolific abroad, especially in England and South Africa, where he has notched four centuries. His adaptability and willingness to take on different roles—including wicketkeeping—have made him a valuable asset to the Indian team.
🔮 Hopes for a Big Series
Gavaskar expressed hope that Rahul would have a breakthrough series, aiming for 500 to 700 runs in the ongoing England tour. With Rohit Sharma’s retirement opening up the top-order slot, Rahul has a golden opportunity to cement his place as India’s premier opener.
Stay tuned for more updates from the India-England Test series.
