IPL 2018 | KL Rahul has played massive role KXIP’s success this year, feels Kris Srikkanth

IPL 2018 | KL Rahul has played massive role KXIP’s success this year, feels Kris Srikkanth

SportsCafe Desk

By SportsCafe Desk, SportsCafe Editor

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Former Indian captain Kris Srikkanth believes that KL Rahul has been pivotal in Kings XI Punjab's rise this season and played a massive role in their success. He feels that KL Rahul and Ambati Rayudu have not been given their due credit in the T20 format and could be helpful in India’s T20I plans.

KL Rahul and Ambati Rayudu have been sensational this season for Kings XI Punjab and Chennai Super Kings respectively. Placed second on the list of leading run-getters, Rahul has flourished for KXIP at the top scoring 236 runs in six matches at an impressive strike rate of 180.15. Partnering an in-form Gayle at the top, he has made KXIP a dangerous side upfront. Rayudu, who has batted up and down the order for CSK, has scored 201 runs in five matches at a healthy strike rate of 160.80. Watching the duo bat in IPL, Srikkanth wrote in his column for TOI that both the player have been undervalued and yet to get their share of credit.

 “What connects these two stroke players is that both of them have not got their due, despite being stellar with the bat,” he wrote in today’s Times of India. “If the current edition of the IPL is any indication, then India might have just unearthed two men to fill in two important slots: opening and number four. These two get the job done as effectively as anyone else.”

Rahul was purchased by KXIP for a whopping 11 crores in this year’s auction. Making every penny worth, Rahul has been at the top of his game this season. In the first game of IPL 11, he scored scintillating 14 balls 50, setting the record for fastest fifty in IPL. Srikkanth gave credits to KXIP for making Rahul bat at his favorite position. 

“The fierce determination in Rahul is unmistakable. Having got a raw deal as far as white ball cricket goes, the youngster wants to prove a point that he is the best in the business with a game cut for all three formats. Remember he has also been shunted up and down the order, and credit to Kings XI for making him bat at his favourite position. The manner in which he set up the first game against Delhi and his easy ways at the crease have played a massive role in putting his team where they are at the moment,” he wrote.

Rayudu has been quite a pick for the Chennai team. He played a breathtaking knock 79 against SRH, which proved to be a game changer on a tricky track. Srikkanth believes that Rayudu’s performances speak for themselves and the amount of talent he has got. 

“Rayudu has put his hand up for Chennai every time. Taken out of his comfort zone and told to open, he responded positively. The knock he played against Hyderabad on a slightly slow track against possibly the best bowling combination in the IPL speaks volumes of what he is capable off,” wrote Srikkanth.

Srikkanth further added that the consistency of Rayudu is being shadowed by one-match brilliance of his team mates. 

“This just goes to show how much hinges on Rayudu. The one-match brilliance of some of his team-mates might have pushed Rayudu back on the popularity charts, but he brings in consistency,” Srikkanth added. 

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