Is KL Rahul's form a significant takeaway for India? Sanjay Manjrekar thinks so!

New Delhi, July 15 (NationPress) Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar asserts that the performance of opener KL Rahul in the current Test series against England stands out as the most significant highlight for the Indian team.

So far, Rahul has accumulated 375 runs across six innings during this tour, which includes two centuries and a half-century.

"The greatest delight I’ve derived - both as an analyst and a past cricketer - has been from observing KL Rahul. He has always possessed the talent. While there were some flaws in his technique, he worked diligently to address them. The missing piece was consistency. In one of our discussions, we jokingly referred to him as ‘Mr. Consistent KL Rahul’ - but he has only recently begun to truly deserve that title.

"Now, having participated in over 50 Test matches for India, what I witness is nearly flawless - there are no discernible weaknesses. For the first time in an overseas series, he has surpassed 200 runs. This is, in my opinion, a monumental takeaway for India," Manjrekar expressed on JioHotstar.

Following India’s narrow loss by 22 runs at Lord's on Monday, Manjrekar commented on the ninth-wicket partnership between Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah.

“Jadeja was playing well and defending firmly, but it never seemed like he was taking the necessary risks to secure a victory for India. He was adopting a cautious strategy and hoping for the best. However, the true standout in that partnership was Jasprit Bumrah. He endured for one hour and 40 minutes against top-notch fast bowling, handling bouncers, and it was remarkable to see how his practice sessions with the bat finally bore fruit. The mental resilience we observe in his bowling also shone through in his batting, and that was genuinely impressive," he stated.

"It’s encouraging to observe how much Jadeja relies on his defense these days. He now plays lengthy innings, showing patience and taking his time. The 70 runs he scored in the first innings were not a quick-fire 70 - he batted for four hours. On this pitch, scoring 50 felt like batting for 50 hours. However, when Jadeja reached his half-century, the atmosphere from the Lord’s balcony didn’t seem very promising. The vibe from the dressing room suggested that the team understood that a win was highly unlikely. Jadeja was making an effort, but considering the pitch, the conditions, and India’s scoring rate, the chase appeared out of reach," Manjrekar elaborated on Jadeja’s resilient innings.

Reflecting on Bumrah’s versatility and significance in both innings, Manjrekar commended the pacer's excellence that has become his trademark.

"In the first innings, Bumrah demonstrated just how exceptional a bowler he is. This was a pitch where he couldn’t fully showcase his abilities, so he bowled with patience and awaited his chances. And when the moment arrived - in the latter half of the innings - he was prepared. He claimed five wickets in the first innings on a surface that provided minimal support. Then, when Washington Sundar took four crucial wickets and India needed to finish off England swiftly, Bumrah stepped up again and delivered. That yorker to dismiss Brydon Carse is still vivid in our minds. Displaying his brilliance in various ways - that has become Bumrah’s legacy," the former batter concluded.