KL Rahul’s Versatility Makes Him Invaluable, Says Kotak
India assistant coach Sitanshu Kotak has praised KL Rahul’s ability to adapt to different roles, describing the experienced batter as an invaluable member of the team.
Rahul has established himself as a reliable option across formats, opening in Test cricket and batting in the middle order in ODIs. He can also accelerate in the final overs when the situation demands, making him a flexible asset for India.
Speaking ahead of the third ODI against New Zealand at Seddon Park, Kotak said Rahul’s biggest strength was his willingness to bat according to the team’s requirements.
Rahul’s Adaptability Stands Out
“I think KL Rahul’s biggest advantage is that he can open in red-ball cricket and bat in the middle order in white-ball cricket. Whenever required, he can also go with five overs left. His record there is also very good. So, he plays according to the team’s needs,” Kotak said.
The assistant coach also highlighted Rahul’s consistency, pointing out that the batter has rarely failed to make an impact when given an opportunity.
Rahul’s unbeaten 26 on a challenging Wellington surface in the second ODI was another example of his ability to adjust to difficult conditions and contribute to the team’s cause.
Kotak Impressed By Rahul’s Temperament
Kotak said Rahul’s calm approach under pressure makes him particularly valuable, adding that the batter has delivered consistently since he joined the coaching setup.
“Since I have joined, I cannot remember many matches in which he has got an opportunity to bat but has not contributed. He has played some unbelievable innings, and he never looks under pressure,” he said.
He further praised Rahul’s composure at the crease and his ability to read the game.
“If you notice, I have never seen KL under pressure. You always see him looking very stable. Most of the time, probably all the time, he has never let the team down.”
Kotak also pointed to Rahul’s range of batting skills, including rotating the strike, finding boundaries and hitting sixes when required.
“It is brilliant to have someone like him who has experience, temperament and the ability to rotate the strike, hit boundaries and, when required, easily hit a few sixes. That’s a great thing to have,” he said.
