**We sometimes take him for granted: Dinesh Karthik on Rahul’s 112***
The Indian cricket team has been blessed with a plethora of talented batsmen over the years, and one such player who has been consistently performing well is KL Rahul. The 29-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman has been a mainstay of the Indian team in the limited-overs format, and his unbeaten knock of 112 runs against New Zealand in the second ODI was a testament to his skill and prowess. However, despite his impressive performances, Rahul often finds himself at the receiving end of criticism and scrutiny from fans and pundits alike.
Former Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik, who has played alongside Rahul in the past, has come out in support of his teammate, stating that the Indian fan base often takes Rahul for granted. “We as a fan base sometimes take him for granted, isn’t it?” Karthik said in a recent interview. “He gets runs when you need it the most. All he has to do is fail one game, and sometimes play according to the situation, and hence end up playing a little slow, and we’re ready to pounce on him.”
Karthik’s statement highlights the unfair expectations that fans often have from Rahul. The batsman has been in brilliant form in recent times, scoring runs consistently in both the ODI and T20I formats. However, despite his impressive performances, he is often criticized for his slow strike rate, particularly in the middle overs. Karthik’s comment suggests that fans often forget the importance of Rahul’s role in the team and the contributions he makes, and instead focus on his perceived shortcomings.
Rahul’s unbeaten knock of 112 runs against New Zealand was a classic example of his ability to anchor the innings and guide his team to a comfortable victory. The batsman played a patient knock, taking his time to settle in and then accelerating towards the end of the innings. His partnership with skipper Shreyas Iyer was particularly impressive, as the two batsmen added over 150 runs for the fourth wicket to take India to a commanding total.
Despite his impressive performance, Rahul’s knock was not without its critics. Some fans and pundits felt that he played too slowly, particularly in the middle overs, and that his strike rate was not high enough. However, Karthik’s comment suggests that such criticism is unfair and that fans should appreciate the importance of Rahul’s role in the team.
In fact, Rahul’s ability to play according to the situation is one of his greatest strengths as a batsman. He has the ability to adapt to different conditions and opposition, and to play a variety of roles in the team. Whether it’s opening the innings, batting in the middle order, or playing as a finisher, Rahul has shown that he is capable of performing any role that is assigned to him.
Moreover, Rahul’s consistency is a major asset for the Indian team. He has been one of the most consistent performers for India in the limited-overs format, and his ability to score runs in different conditions and against different opposition is a major strength. His unbeaten knock of 112 runs against New Zealand was his fifth century in ODI cricket, and it highlighted his ability to perform under pressure and to deliver when it matters most.
In conclusion, Dinesh Karthik’s comment about KL Rahul is a timely reminder of the importance of appreciating the contributions of all players in the team. Rahul’s unbeaten knock of 112 runs against New Zealand was a testament to his skill and prowess as a batsman, and it highlighted his ability to play according to the situation and to deliver under pressure. As fans, we should learn to appreciate Rahul’s strengths and weaknesses, and to recognize the importance of his role in the team. By doing so, we can create a more positive and supportive environment for all players, and help to bring out the best in them.
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