KL Rahul is one of my favourite batters, bats at his best when he has nothing to lose: Shane Watson

KL Rahul bats at his best when he has a "nothing to lose" approach and that is how former Australia all-rounder Shane Watson wants the opener to play at the T20 World Cup beginning later this month.

Former Australia all-rounder Shane Watson wants India opener, KL Rahul, to approach the T20 World Cup later this month with a nothing to lose mentality because that is how he bats best.

Rahul's strike rate has come under scrutiny during the Asia Cup and the ongoing home T20I series against South Africa. Though India had to chase down only 107 in the opening T20 against South Africa, concerns were raised concerning Rahul's intent as he concluded with 51 not out off 56 balls.

Rahul, according to Watson, must take the aggressive approach from the first ball of the T20 World Cup in Australia.

"KL Rahul is one of my favourite batters. To me when he is batting at his best, when he is aggressive, he takes the game on and is not trying to control the game. He has got that skill, when he is just reacting to the ball coming down, he has all the shots all around the ground against the best bowlers in the world," Watson was quoted as saying by PTI.

"I love seeing him when he feels like he's got nothing to lose, then he can even strike at 180 without taking too much risk. If he is able to do that (in Australia), there will be a lot of bowlers in trouble," said one of the best all-rounders to have played for Australia.

Watson wants Mohammad Siraj to take Bumrah's place if the latter is deemed unfit for the World Cup.

"India have certainly got the batting to do incredibly well in Australian conditions but the biggest question mark is around their fast bowling.