Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has come out in strong support of KL Rahul's current batting position in the ODI lineup, addressing the frequent question of why the talented batter is being deployed so low in the order. Pathan's analysis comes on the back of Rahul's match-winning performance against New Zealand in Vadodara, where he calmly guided India to a four-wicket victory in a 301-run chase.
The Vadodara Chase and Rahul's Composure
On Sunday in Vadodara, India's pursuit of 301 runs hit turbulent waters with a flurry of wickets, threatening to derail the innings. Stepping into this high-pressure situation, KL Rahul displayed remarkable composure. He took his time to settle at the crease, methodically building his innings before unleashing his shots to seal the win. The victory was punctuated in style, as Rahul smashed the winning six – the sixth time he has achieved this feat in his ODI career. Only the legendary MS Dhoni, with nine such finishes, has done it more often for India.
Irfan Pathan's Rule-Based Justification
Addressing the ongoing debate, Irfan Pathan provided a technical explanation for Rahul's role on his YouTube channel. He directly linked the strategy to a recent rule change in ODI cricket. "When KL Rahul bats, people often ask why he is batting so low. But we need to keep in mind that the rule has now changed because the ball reverses slightly after the 34th over. If the ball doesn't reverse, it is slow," Pathan stated.
He emphasized that in these tricky conditions during the death overs, a batter with solid technique becomes invaluable. "In those situations, a technically correct batter makes a difference. Other batters were getting slightly troubled in the first ODI but Rahul was well in control," Pathan added, praising Rahul's ability to read the game and target specific overs, as seen when he expertly closed out the match.
A Proven Performer in the Floating Role
The statistics overwhelmingly support the team management's faith in Rahul for the tricky No. 5 or 6 floating role. Since intently taking over this responsibility during the 2023 ODI World Cup year, Rahul has enjoyed a superb run. He boasts a staggering average of nearly 60 while batting in these middle-order positions, establishing himself as one of the most dependable players in this slot in world cricket.
The most compelling statistic, however, is his correlation with team success. India has won all 13 ODI chases in which KL Rahul has remained unbeaten. This perfect record underscores his immense value as a finisher and a pillar of stability under pressure, justifying the strategy employed by head coach Gautam Gambhir since mid-2024.
Pathan concluded by highlighting Rahul's smart approach, noting his focus on taking singles and rotating the strike before expertly targeting the bowling at the death, a skill set perfectly tailored for the modern ODI's demanding conclusion.
