Trent Boult Picks KL Rahul As India’s Key Batter For New Zealand Tests
Former New Zealand fast bowler Trent Boult believes seasoned opener KL Rahul will be the batter to watch when India take on the Black Caps in the two-Test series beginning November 19.
Boult, who claimed 317 wickets in Test cricket, is a keen admirer of Rahul’s batting style and expects the Indian opener to play a key role during a challenging tour of New Zealand.
The marathon tour begins on October 22 and includes 10 white-ball matches before the two Tests. The series is also part of celebrations marking 100 years of sporting ties between India and New Zealand.
KL Rahul, Jaiswal Key To India Batting
Boult singled out Rahul and young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal as two Indian batters he will be keen to watch during the New Zealand Tests.
“I’m always a big fan of KL Rahul and his style of batsmanship. So he’s a big player at the top of the order for the Indian side. And yeah, I believe Jaiswal is there as well. Two classy batters to see bat. So yeah, be interesting to see,” Boult told PTI in an exclusive interview facilitated by the organisers of the European T20 Premier League.
“It’s always an exciting chance when the Indian team comes down to play Test cricket in New Zealand,” he added.
Rahul’s experience at the top of the order could prove particularly valuable as India prepare for conditions that are expected to offer assistance to New Zealand’s seamers.
Trent Boult Expects Cold, Green Conditions
The timing of the India tour could make the Test series especially demanding for batters. Unlike India’s traditional February-March visits to New Zealand, the upcoming tour will take place in late October and November.
Boult expects the weather to be cold and believes there could be some grass on the pitches in Wellington and Christchurch.
“The only thing I can see happening is it’s going to be late October. I believe, just coming out of winter. So it’s going to be quite cold. Hopefully, there’s a bit of greenness in the wickets for some of our bowlers,” he said.
“It’s going to be a good series, I’m sure,” the left-arm swing bowler added.
New Zealand Pace Attack Has Variety
Boult and Tim Southee formed one of New Zealand’s most successful new-ball partnerships for several years, but the veteran believes the current pace attack has enough quality and variety to establish its own identity.
Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry, Nathan Smith and Will O’Rourke bring different qualities to the bowling unit, according to Boult.
“I think the bowling is very well balanced. It’s got bases covered in terms of a good pace, obviously, with Will O’Rourke. Obviously, a bit of swing and a bit of bounce from Kyle Jamieson and Matt Henry with his accuracy,” he said.
Boult believes the current attack does not need to replicate the methods used by his generation.
“The way me, Tim and Wags did it over the years was a unique way in itself. But there’s other strengths and other game plans that our younger bowlers can follow,” he said.
Boult Remembers Neil Wagner
Boult also paid tribute to former New Zealand teammate Neil Wagner, whose relentless approach made him an integral part of the Black Caps’ Test bowling attack alongside Boult and Southee.
Wagner was renowned for finding a way to create pressure even when conditions were not in his favour, and Boult believes his qualities were unique.
“I don’t think you can compare anyone to Neil Wagner. He had that unique ability to find something out of nothing basically in the Test arena and he always wore his heart on his sleeve and gave everything,” Boult said.
“He was a big part of the New Zealand team at the time, but a new look side now and a new look way of playing.”
With KL Rahul and Jaiswal expected to lead India’s batting challenge and New Zealand boasting a varied pace attack, the Test series promises a stern examination for India’s batters when the two teams meet in November.
