Ahead of the start of Lucknow SuperGiants’s 2024 campaign, head coach Justin Langer wasted no time whatsoever to emphasise the importance that someone like KL Rahul brings to the franchise. He would allude to the fact that players like KL Rahul are hard to find and difficult to replace.
But at the same time, the former Australian opening batsman stressed on the importance of the soon-to-begin season for one of the mainstay’s of Indian cricket.
Truth be told, Langer’s view can hardly be disagreed with.
He highlighted in no uncertain terms the fact that performance in this edition of the famed T20 league holds the key for Rahul, in national contention, to make it to the World Cup squad.
Not long after this 2024 IPL, will one see the commencement of, unarguably speaking, the biggest T20 event of the year; the West Indies and America-bound World Cup.
And KL Rahul- elegant stroke maker, beautiful timer, frequent injury picker- is vying for a spot in the Indian national team.
Two things, among the many, strike the mind instantly when KL Rahul’s frame appears in front of the eyes. First is his ability to score runs with glee, often upping the tempo and breaking from the defensive mode at free will.
The other is the sheer freak luck that hinders his progress and hence, comes to hamper his participation in a series where he’s already (keenly) plugged in.
One is truly glad that as of the last year, KL Rahul was able to make it to the most prestigious event in men’s cricket: the ICC ODI World Cup.
However, that participation came at the back of a surgical procedure on the leg and Rahul having to walk off the game for a few months given a sudden injury he picked whilst stationed in the outfield for his LSG team.
(Source- KL Rahul Twitter/ X)
As captain, his absence as the true leader and mainstream batsman came as a big blow. Moreover, in the games where he played, the fans didn’t get to see the usual in full-flow and top-of-the-tree KL Rahul.
His IPL numbers, before the injury cut short his 2024 campaign, seemed rather ordinary: 9 matches, 274 runs, batting average of 34.
Moreover, his strike rate of 113 was in no way indicative of his fierce potential and fine performances with the bat.
Exactly the area that KL Rahul, undoubtedly one of the finest strokemakers in the game today, would want to work on.
He’s no ordinary talent; the diligent right hander has already scored in excess of 4,000 runs in the famed Indian Premier League.
His bat can and must ooze fire if Lucknow are to play like their actual name: SuperGiants.
Interestingly, and as asserted by coach Langer, it’s not sure whether KL Rahul will be donning the wicket keeping gloves for his team.
The soon-to-turn 32-year-old is, lest it is forgotten, making a return to cricket having missed it to yet another injury. This time in the quadriceps region owing to which he was able to participate in just a solitary Test against England earlier this year!
But injuries have heckled KL time and again. Earlier he missed the Ireland white ball series, where Bumrah led from the front and rising talents like Rinku Singh batted exceptionally.
This time around, Rahul will be both excited but cautious, it ought to be noted. Excited about the fact that he returns to the game which is his life. But cautious because not only will he have to quickly return to form by hitting lots of runs but be on a constant guard so as to not pick up any more injuries.
Because that will prove to be a mighty deterrent for a man who fills our life with such joy thanks to his poetry with the bat.
(Source @Kunal_KLR)
Go on, KL. Give it your best!