Happy birthday KL Rahul: Here's a look at his career
Indian cricketer KL Rahul turned 27 on Thursday. The Karnataka wicket-keeper batsman is enjoying a good run of form in the ongoing 12th edition of the Indian Premier League. Rahul, who is a pivotal member of Team India, was also named in the 15-man squad for the upcoming ICC World Cup 2019. On his birthday, we take a look at Rahul's career.
A look at Rahul's career statistics
The right-handed batsman has played 34 Tests for India with 1,905 runs under his belt. He has five hundreds and 11 fifties. Rahul has appeared in 14 ODIs for India. He has scored 343 runs with one ton to his name. The versatile player has played 27 T20Is as well. He has slammed 879 runs that includes two centuries and five fifties.
Rahul out of the Test side after a disappointing 2018
KL Rahul lost his place in the Test team after a poor string of performances in 2018. He scored 468 runs in 12 Tests at an average of 22.28. His technical flaws did him in. At the moment, it looks pretty difficult for him to script a comeback to the side with Prithvi Shaw and Mayank Agarwal earning their places.
But Rahul is a run-machine in T20 format
One of the major highlights of Rahul's career has been his application in T20 cricket. His average of 43.95 in T20Is, alongside two tons, is a dream feat for any batsman. The player has enjoyed tremendous success in the IPL. He smashed 659 runs in IPL 2018 and has been on song this season as well. Rahul registered his maiden IPL ton this term.
India have backed Rahul for the 2019 World Cup
Rahul will be aiming to make his presence count in the upcoming World Cup. He goes in as a back-up top-order batsman. A few innings of substance, if and when called upon, could give India the assurance. It will be a critical phase for Rahul.
Some special feats scripted by Rahul
The 27-year-old has a rare distinction of being the only Indian cricketer to have scored an ODI ton in his debut match. Only 15 cricketers, across the globe, have achieved this feat so far. He is also the third Indian batsman to hit centuries across all formats of the game. Rahul has also registered the fastest fifty in the IPL (14 balls).
Rahul only Indian to smash seven consecutive Test fifties
Rahul is the only Indian cricketer to smash seven consecutive fifties in Test cricket. He is also one of the six batsmen to have achieved this feat. ED Weekes, Andy Flower, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Kumar Sangakkara and Chris Rogers are the other five batsmen.
When controversy marred Rahul's career
Rahul was embroiled in a controversy off the field alongside Hardik Pandya, when they appeared on chat show Koffee With Karan. The two cricketers received serious backlash for their comments which led to the episode being taken off air. They were also handed a ban by the BCCI. But since then, both cricketers have worked their way back and look strong in their approach.
