Legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has lavished high praise on KL Rahul, calling him a “total team man” and hailing his technical perfection during India’s second innings against England in the ongoing Headingley Test. Rahul remained unbeaten on 47 off 75 balls, anchoring India’s innings after early setbacks and showcasing a masterclass in strokeplay.
🏏 “He Doesn’t Know How Good He Is”: Gavaskar’s Ultimate Compliment
Speaking on the broadcast, Gavaskar said Rahul’s calm demeanor and selfless attitude make him a rare asset in modern cricket.
“He has even been asked to keep wickets. He does that for the team, and that’s what you want. He’s got an equanimity about him, which is so rare… One thing everybody agrees about KL Rahul is that he doesn’t know how good a player he is,” Gavaskar remarked.
🎯 Cover Drive Perfection and Shot-Making Elegance
Gavaskar was particularly impressed with Rahul’s cover drive, calling it “perfection” and praising his ability to play both off the front and back foot with finesse.
“He’s got so much talent… the flick, the straight drive, the cover drive—thrilling to watch,” he added.
Despite not scoring a Test century at home since 2016, Rahul has been India’s most prolific overseas opener since 2018, with centuries in England and South Africa.
🧠 Self-Doubt Holding Him Back?
Gavaskar also hinted that self-doubt may be the only thing preventing Rahul from fulfilling his immense potential.
“That could be a bit of self-doubt in his mind or whatever that sometimes keeps the Bangalore boys from fulfilling their potential,” he quipped.
🧭 India’s Position in the Test
At stumps on Day 3, India were 90/2, leading England by 96 runs, with Rahul and skipper Shubman Gill at the crease. Rahul’s composed innings has put India in a strong position heading into Day 4.
Stay tuned for more updates from the England-India Test series.
