Former Indian pace bowler Irfan Pathan has noticed a huge change in KL Rahul’s approach after his stunning 97* against Australia in India’s opening game of the 2023 World Cup in Chennai on Sunday, October 8. However, Rahul came into bat with India in a struggling situation at 2/3. He further added 165 runs with Virat Kohli for the fourth wicket and helped India win.
Irfan Pathan told Star Sports: “He doesn’t seem like the Rahul who used to take pressure before, now he looks like he’s soaking that pressure, and it can be seen in the result. And because of that, he doesn’t even seem like he’s going to get out while he is batting. There seems to be control, he’s finding the singles, playing the big shots, he’s also using the sweep shots, seems to be having a lot of time while pulling the ball. He has worked a lot on his technique, but most importantly, he looks like a much better version of himself than before.”
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The veteran has also applauded Virat Kohli for his knock of 85 and shared why he is arguably one of the best in the business in recent times as well. However, Team India will take on Afghanistan in their next World Cup clash in Delhi on Wednesday, October 11.
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“It has happened many times that Virat Kohli has played such knocks, where wickets have fallen, and wickets are continuously happening to fall at the other end. He was still able to put pressure back onto the bowlers and that is why he is regarded as one of the all-time modern masters of the game. But playing according to the pitch, according to the expectations set for the first game of the World Cup, and the way pressure had also been built up around the match, is why I would consider this to be truly one of his best knocks,” Irfan Pathan concluded.
