Aggressive Rahul likes to ‘keep it simple’

Kolkata, April 21 

He smashed the fastest fifty in the Indian Premier League in the Kings XI Punjab’s opening game against Delhi Daredevils, and when on Saturday he blasted a 27-ball 60 to help his side beat the hosts Kolkata Knight Riders at the famous Eden Garden, KL Rahul took many by surprise, including his own self.   

“I don’t know what’s happening, but I don’t want to question what’s going well for me. The approach is to stay aggressive and take the opposition down. The simpler you keep it, the clearer you will be as a batsman. Don’t want to complicate my batting. See the ball hit the ball…,” Rahul said during the post-match presentation ceremony.

Earlier, Rahul had smashed a 14-ball 50 to record the fastest half-century in the league.  

“I back my shots, and just want to get into shape. Feet are moving well and I’m striking well. Just want to make sure I make it big, have got out after getting starts...,” said the 26-year-old.

Chasing a 192 runs for victory, Rahul and Chris Gayle got Kings XI off to a flyer scoring 96 for no loss in 8.2 overs before the rain interrupted the play and the target was revised to 125 in 13 overs. 

“Me and Chris have spoken --- we’re gonna back our game. If he’s going for it, doesn’t mean I take the back seat,” said Rahul.

Kings XI skipper Ravichandran Ashwin was happy with the victory that put his team on the top of the points table. “Happier with this win, compared to the previous one,” he said.    

“The par score was about 210. We had a time-out, and I told the boys we should try and restrict them to 190,” Ashwin said when asked about the effort put in by the Kings XI bowlers to pull the things back in the death overs.     

Ashwin also lauded the effort of Rahul and Gayle. “KL looked like a million dollars, and well, Chris is Chris. Sometimes when you’re going hammer and tongs, it’s important to get some perspective in the chase,” he said. — Agencies