This time everyone will see an aggressive KL Rahul in IPL: Wasim Jaffer

Punjab Kings batting coach Wasim Jaffer has backed the captain of the franchise, KL Rahul, and said that he will be seen in quite an aggressive role at the top of the order this season. The 28-year-old batsman was the highest run-getter in the 2020 season of the IPL. He scored 670 runs in 14 matches. However, his strike rate during the tournament was questioned a lot. 

Rahul, who has been known for being an aggressive batsman in the T20 format while opening the batting was seen changing his approach in the last season of the IPL. His strike rate in T20Is has been 142 while in all T20 cricket, his strike rate has been 139.51. In comparison to these numbers, Rahul was batting slightly slowly in the powerplay throughout the season, striking at 129.35. 

According to Jaffer though, Rahul was planning to play the role of anchor more than anything during the previous season. The former Indian opener argued that the franchise’s captain had taken upon himself to spend more time on the crease. He further said that in the upcoming season, Rahul will be seen in an aggressive mode from the word go. 

KL Rahul had a poor T20 series, but it did not make him a bad batsman: Wasim Jaffer

“KL batted a little timidly last season. He probably batted deeper because there was not much batting after No. 5, and Glenn Maxwell was not firing. He took that responsibility on himself to try and stay at the crease and get the job done. This time around, everyone will see an aggressive KL Rahul for sure,” Jaffer said to Cricbuzz. 

The main reason why Rahul’s strike rate became more of a question had to do with the fact that Punjab lost a few really close matches. Had they won those close matches, Punjab might have qualified. Jaffer also addressed Rahul’s sudden loss of form during the T20I series against England and his subsequent coming back to form in the ODI series. 

“It can happen to any player. The more games he played, the better he became. Yes, he had a poor T20 series, but it did not make him a bad batsman. He has scored centuries in all three formats and knows his game better than anyone else. In the ODIs, he showed why he is such a special player,” said Jaffer.