Has KL Rahul edged out Shikhar Dhawan as India’s T20I opener?
At Hyderabad, the Caribbean brigade posted 207 runs in their 20 overs to set up a tough chase for the home side. India needed a herculean effort if they were to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match T20I series. Captain Virat Kohli played a masterpiece of 94 not out but it was opener KL Rahul whose 62 set the foundation of this chase while Kohli was still finding his feet. With another spectacular knock of 91(56) in the final match, Rahul strengthened his case as India’s full-time T20I opener.
Success at the top
The Karnataka batsman is not new to the opening gig. In fact, he has been opening for India in T20Is since 2016. However, with two firmly established batsmen in Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan at the top, Rahul’s opportunities have been far and few. Picked in the squad as a reserve opener, the 27-year old has faced the new ball in 17 out of his 34 T20I appearances. Even in such a brief stint separated by long gaps, Rahul has recorded numbers he can be proud of.
Thus far only six Indian batsmen have opened in more than 10 T20Is. Amongst them, Rahul stands out with an average of 43.68. The next best is Rohit who averages around 33. Rahul’s strike rate of 145.02 is only second to Virender Sehwag who struck 145.38 runs every 100 balls. However, Sehwag’s average (21.88) remains less than half of Rahul’s. Even in comparison with legendary names in Indian cricket, the current opener thus holds his own.
T20Is remain his strongest suit
With most cricketers playing in all three formats, we tend to judge them by their recent form regardless of the format. KL Rahul did struggle in the Test arena as an opener but in the limited-overs, he has been scintillating. His current numbers exclaim his proficiency as a batsman in the shortest format.
KL Rahul’s career numbers
In 2019, KL Rahul has amassed 356 runs in nine T20Is with four half-centuries. He trumps in comparison with India’s regular opener Shikhar Dhawan. Dhawan managed only 272 runs in 12 T20Is this year. Rahul’s strike rate (142.4) and average (44.5) both are far superior to the Delhi batsman (Strike rate 110.56, Average 22.66). The Karnataka batsman was in a stunning form in the recent Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy as well where he posted 313 runs with average over 50 and strike rate over 150.
Tough call for selectors
India’s next T20I assignment is against Sri Lanka. The three-match series between familiar foes begins in January 2020. If Dhawan is fit and raring to go, Indian team selectors will have to take a hard call. On one hand, they have a scintillating batsman who is at the peak of his powers and on the other, they have an experienced batsman who has been prolific at the top spot. Taking current form into the account, it won’t be a surprise if Rohit and Rahul walk out first at Guwahati on 5th January.
