Former India cricketer Deep Dasgupta lauds KL Rahul for his heroics in Brisbane

Indian cricket star KL Rahul has been earning lots of praise for his recent form with the bat during the Australian tour. The 32-year-old scored 84 runs during the first innings of the third Test in Brisbane on Tuesday. Ravindra Jadeja was the other batter with a timely fifty as India’s batting order collapsed once more. 

Former India wicketkeeper and batter, Deep Dasgupta praised Rahul for his efforts while he was speaking on Star Sports. The 47-year-old said, “KL Rahul is the Best and standout batter of this Test Match at Gabba. Yes Travis Head scored more runs but the situation and pressure under which KL Rahul scored runs is amazing."

2024 hasn’t been easy for the 32-year-old batter has made a fine comeback during the Australian series. Rahul was dropped for the final two games at home against New Zealand. So far, India’s opener has scored 231 runs from 5 innings with an average of 46.2 with 2 half-centuries. 

Harbhajan Singh calls for more consistency from Rahul

Former Indian star Harbhajan Singh praised KL Rahul’s batting in the first innings of the Brisbane Test match. The 44-year-old though has asked India’s best batter of the ongoing series to show more consistency with his run making. Speaking to Star Sports the former India spinner has asked Rahul to improve his average. Rahul’s current average stands at 34 after over 50 Test matches. 

Harbhajan Singh said, “It should happen, considering the ability he has. He is a proper batter. His technique is excellent and he has the game for Test cricket. He knows how to leave the ball and has all types of shots. He plays spin and fast bowling well. He plays the short ball well, but I want to see an increase of 20-25 in his average."

The former India star, “Considering his stature and the kind of player he is, his average should be around 50-55. I see a massive scope of improvement from here. He has had an up-and-down career. He has been in and out of the team and couldn't play cricket for a long time due to injury."

Meanwhile, coming back to Deep Dasgupta, the former India star had a go at Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill for putting pressure on the middle-order. Yashasvi Jaiswal was out for just 4 runs while Shubman Gill’s wild slash ended his innings for 1 run. Both batters were dismissed by Mitchell Marsh and Starc combine. 

Dasgupta said, "I feel for Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant and Rohit Sharma. Your number four, five, six can’t score runs every time when the top order fails. The top three will have to understand the importance of spending time in the middle and see the new ball through. It is not easy for Virat to come out to bat and score runs early in the innings.”