Former Australian cricketer Michael Clarke has applauded Rishabh Pant’s stellar performance in the IPL 2024 match against Kolkata Knight Riders on April 3. Pant’s explosive 25-ball 55, amidst his recovery from severe injuries sustained in a car crash, earned praise from Clarke, highlighting the cricketer’s resilience and dedication to return to top form.
Speaking on Star Sports’ Cricket Live, Michael Clarke remarked, “The work that has gone into his rehab to get back to that level of play at any standard is an amazing achievement. He deserves a lot of credit for his hard work and it’s great to see him on the field, captaining and playing well, batting and keeping.”
Michael Clarke also commended Kolkata Knight Riders’ decision to utilize Sunil Narine as an opener, considering the depth of their batting lineup. Narine’s explosive knock of 85 runs off 39 balls set the stage for KKR’s record-breaking total of 272 runs.
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Regarding Narine’s role, Michael Clarke stated, “The way he plays is maximum risk, so you have to accept that it’s not always going to come off as often as you’d like. But he has done it before successfully, and I think it’s a smart decision that suits their batting lineup.”
The former Australian captain also showered praise on young Angkrish Raghuvanshi, who impressed with a quickfire half-century (54 off 27 balls) for Kolkata Knight Riders. Clarke emphasized Raghuvanshi’s talent and predicted a bright future for the budding cricketer.
“I loved watching him bat tonight. He’s got all the shots, plays both offside and onside, and tonight he got the opportunity to turn that talent into performance. There’s no doubt that we are going to see a lot of this young man going forward,” Michael Clarke remarked.
Furthermore, Clarke lauded Andre Russell’s exceptional form in IPL 2024, noting his improved fitness and impactful contributions with both bat and ball for Kolkata Knight Riders.
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“Andre Russell looks as fit as I’ve seen him. His power hitting is as good as anybody’s in world cricket, and the way he finds a way to mistime the ball and still go over the boundary for sixes is phenomenal,” Michael Clarke stated.
Former Indian cricketer L Balaji echoed Clarke’s sentiments on Russell’s bowling prowess this season, emphasizing his improved variations and fitness, which have bolstered KKR’s bowling lineup. With Clarke’s insights, it’s evident that the IPL 2024 season is witnessing remarkable performances from seasoned veterans like Russell and emerging talents like Raghuvanshi, making it an exciting spectacle for cricket enthusiasts worldwide.
