KL Rahul’s recent outstanding performance in the Indian Premier League has once again highlighted the dilemma he poses in T20 cricket. Despite being criticized for his slow strike rate, Rahul has shown flashes of his aggressive side with his record-breaking innings of 152 not out. Former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar believes that Rahul has the talent to succeed in any batting position in T20 cricket, as long as he doesn’t place too much importance on his wicket.
Manjrekar suggests that Rahul may benefit from batting lower down the order, where he can play more freely without overthinking his role. After starting the season as an opener, Rahul has found success with two fifties and a scorching hundred. However, Manjrekar points out that Rahul tends to start innings slowly, which can be risky in the fast-paced T20 format.
Manjrekar argues that in modern T20 cricket, there is no room for “anchors” who consume too many balls without scoring quickly. He compares Rahul to Virat Kohli, who adapted his game to score more briskly by relinquishing the idea that he was indispensable to his team. By batting more aggressively, Kohli not only improved his own performance but also allowed his teammates to flourish.
Overall, Manjrekar believes that Rahul has the potential to excel in T20 cricket but needs to find the right balance between caution and aggression in his batting approach. Published on Apr 27, 2026.
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