IPL 2022: ‘360-degree batter’ KL Rahul is like a breath of fresh air, says Kevin Pietersen

KL
Rahul
has
scored
368
runs
in
8
matches
in
the
IPL
2022
and
averages
61.33.
The
explosive
right-handed
batsman
has
slammed
two
centuries
and
a
fifty
in
the
showpiece
event.

Speaking
on
Cricket
Live
on
Star
Sports,
Pietersen
said,
“He
has
a
wide
range
of
shots
in
his
armoury.
So
he
can
hit
you
over
back-foot
point,
he
can
slice
you
for
a
six.
He
can
hit
you
over
extra-cover,
he
can
hit
you
down
the
ground,
and
he
can
pick
you
over
midwicket.
So,
he
really
is
a
360-degree
batter.
I
mean,
he’s
a
breath
of
fresh
air.
You
can
switch
on
the
TV
and
watch
him
bat
all
day.”

Rahul
is
often
criticised
for
his
low
strike
rate
in
the
tournament
but
former
India
pacer
Irfan
Pathan
rubbished
such
claims
saying
the
talented
right-handed
batter
plays
according
to
the
situation.

Speaking
on
Cricket
Live
on
Star
Sports,
Irfan
said,
“Lokesh
Rahul
is
the
batsman
who
can
increase
or
decrease
the
striker
rate
according
to
the
situation.
He
has
the
style,
the
elegance
and
aggression
to
build
his
innings
the
way
he
wants.
He
has
a
sound
technique
and
a
good
temperament.
He
is
gauging
the
situations
and
batting
accordingly.
Rahul
knows
very
well
when
he
needs
to
shift
gears.”

Former
India
captain
and
legendary
batsman
Sunil
Gavaskar
reckons
the
best
thing
about
Rahul’s
batting
is
that
there’s
nothing
agricultural
about
his
shot-making
which
makes
him
a
special
player.

Rahul
has
been
doing
the
talking
with
his
bat
in
the
most
exciting
IPL
season
and
has
already
slammed
two
centuries
in
this
edition.

Speaking
on
Cricket
Live
on
Star
Sports,
Gavaskar
said,
“He’s
been
outstanding.
The
best
part
about
KL
Rahul’s
batting
is
that
nothing
is
agricultural
in
his
cricketing
shots.
Every
shot
that
he
plays
is
a
proper
textbook
stroke.
So
what
he
has
actually
told
you
with
his
shot-making
skills
is
that
you
don’t
have
to
manufacture
shots.
If
you’ve
got
the
shots,
use
them
and
the
selection
of
his
shots
has
been
outstanding.”