KL Rahul is considered to be one of the most elegant batters of this era. From his flowing drives to his composed presence at the crease, and his style has now drawn comparisons with tennis legend, Roger Federer.
Yet, for all that flair, his Test match numbers continue to surprise and even disappoint many fans and experts. The latest reminder was during his sublime 137 in India's second innings of the Headingley Test against England.
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As Rahul played yet another classy knock, social media lit up with admiration and confusion.
Does KL Rahul’s batting style hide a flawed record?
In a podcast clip on Instagram, the team at The Grade Cricketer captured the public sentiment in a hilarious yet painfully honest way.
"KL Rahul is just such a gorgeous driver of a cricket ball. Rarely as a cricketer had the balance of Simone Biles, the technique of a Rolex, the grace of Roger Federer - and average f--king 33."
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That contrast between visual class and modest numbers is exactly what frustrates fans. Rahul's cover drives and calm persona may exude greatness but his average in the low 30s has long been a sore point for Indian cricket followers.
How does KL Rahul feel about his low Test average?
After his ninth Test ton, his sixth in SENA countries, Rahul admitted that the stats sting, but he is no longer chasing numbers. Speaking to Sky Sports, the Indian opener said:
"Of course, it hurts when I look at my average. But at this stage, I don't want to think about numbers. I just want to enjoy my cricket as much as I can."
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The 33-year-old credited his mental shift and his time with coach Abhishek Nayar for helping him return to the basics in Test cricket and to play with freedom.