IPL 2022 Eliminator LSG vs RCB: KL Rahul takes time at the start but knows how to finish game - Mohammed Kaif
India Today
KL Rahul has registered two centuries and three fifties in the IPL 2022. Mohammed Kaif has said Lucknow Super Giants's further progress in the season will depend on Rahul's form against RCB.
New entrants Lucknow Super Giants and Royal Challengers Bangalore are all set to square off in the IPL 2022 Eliminator at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Wednesday (May 25). Going into the contest, there is plenty of focus on LSG captain KL Rahul, who has been in fine form this season.
Rahul has scored 537 runs, including two centuries and three half-centuries. He is averaging 48.82 and will once again look to play the role of an anchor in the crucial encounter. While Rahul has been phenomenal with the bat, his tons and fifties come during the first innings.
Analysing how Rahul can dish out the same performance while chasing, former India cricketer Mohammed Kaif said the right-hander "should try to bat while chasing in the same way when you bat first".
"According to me, KL Rahul wants to play a captaincy innings and he takes a lot of pressure on himself. (Quinton) de Kock is playing with you (Rahul) and his job is to be aggressive, but yours is to play till the last overs," Kaif said on Star Sports.
"He looks under pressure while chasing, and also got dismissed many times, but he's a class batsman. He has form, runs, temperament and knows to play till the end. He hits shots in every direction. He takes time in the beginning but knows how to finish a game."
Rahul (68* off 51) and de Kock (140* off 70) formed an unbeaten match-winning opening partnership of 210 runs against Kolkata Knight Riders in their final league match. In spite of winning the game, Lucknow Super Giants finished third in the IPL points table after Rajasthan Royals beat Chennai Super Kings, thus being pushed to the Eliminator.
Kaif further said Rahul's form against Bangalore will decide whether Lucknow will be able to progress into Qualifier 2, where Rajasthan are waiting for the winner of the ELiminator.
