South Zone batsman impressive form continues with yet another century
KL Rahul scored his second century in Dullep Trophy final as many innings on Saturday and, in the process, emerged as a strong contender for the Australia tour
Chennai: K.L. Rahul couldn’t have asked for a better stage than the Duleep Trophy final to send out a strong statement. With selectors Saba Karim and Vikram Rathour watching from the stands, the South Zone opener scored his second century in as many innings on Saturday and, in the process, emerged as a strong contender for the Australia tour.The squad is set to be announced on Tuesday. “It’s hard to ignore him with the kind of form he exhibited in the final,” said former selector V.B. Chandrasekar, one of the commentators for the summit clash between South and Central Zones.
Rahul’s South Zone coach and former India middle-order batsman Hemang Badani is impressed with the 22-year-old’s temperament. “He is always prepared to play the long innings. Rahul is neither too defensive nor very aggressive. “He maintains the balance required for the longer format. He is batting really well and the selectors watched him play. I don’t know what their (selectors) requirements for the Australia tour are. Only time will tell,” Badani told this newspaper.
The third-opener’s role is up for grabs in the long and challenging Australia tour. Given his utility as a wicketkeeper batsman, Rahul, who scored 1,033 runs in the previous Ranji season, might be in pole position for the job.
Badani said Rahul can perform in any format. “His adaptability is impressive. His century in the second innings came at a brisk scoring rate, more than a run-a-ball when he completed the three-figure mark,” said Badani, adding he was his first-choice opener despite having the more experienced Abhinav Mukund in the South Zone squad.
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