Australian cricket legend Adam Gilchrist hailed KL Rahul’s immense versatility and value to Indian cricket, emphasizing his ability to adapt to all formats and roles after his significant contribution to the tourists’ massive victory over the hosts in the first test in Perth.

Despite not being in the original plans for the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the Karnataka batsman was brought to Australia and immediately proved his worth by playing an impressive knock of 77 runs off 176 balls in the first over at the Optus Stadium in Perth.

Adam Gilchrist praises KL Rahul’s versatility and composure in Perth Test

Rahul also added over 200 runs with Yashasvi Jaiswal (161) for the opening stand, not only helping the Indian cricket team register a dominant 295-run win in the first match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 against Australia, but also to silence his critics with style. .

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Adam Gilchrist said on Cricbuzz: “KL Rahul has the talent, skill and brilliance in all formats. He has performed consistently in T20, white-ball cricket and then on the Test field, but perhaps not with the consistency that shows the talent and potential we all see in him. That might be a criticism of him, but he is an all-round cricketer. “I wasn’t even in the original touring group.”

Ahead of the day-night Test in Adelaide, Adam Gilchrist highlighted the fact that KL Rahul has batted in various positions, provided crucial partnerships and taken on leadership-like responsibilities for Team India in his career so far, and That makes him a special player.

It’s a game of partnerships with younger batting partners: Adam Gilchrist

The legendary Australian wicketkeeper also mentioned that the right-handed batsman’s innings in Perth demonstrated his composure and substance, which contributed significantly to India’s dominance against Australia in the first match of the ongoing five-match Test series in Perth.

Gilchrist further explained: “He has hit between one and six in that batting line-up. In other formats, you will be called to keep the wicket. So what I love is his ability to be available, to commit to whatever role he has for his country. And part of the role in Perth was not just to get around 60 and absorb deliveries, but also to help train and encourage the partnership. It is a game of partnerships with younger batting partners. So, it was enormously vital.”

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While Yashasvi Jaiswal garners headlines for his first Test on Australian soil, Gilchrist believes Rahul’s efforts deserve greater recognition in stabilizing India’s position and showcasing his all-round capabilities as a team player, and that is what impressed him the most. .

KL Rahul deserves more recognition than Yashasvi Jaiswal: Gilchrist

Cricket experts also highlighted Rahul’s significant contribution to India’s victory in the Perth Test, where his crucial innings not only helped India gain dominance but also played a key role in mentoring young Yashasvi against Australia.

Gilchrist said goodbye saying: “I guess all the headlines right now will be about Yashasvi Jaiswal and who knows what will happen. But I think a lot of the attention, a lot of the glare, should be on KL Rahul because he is an innings of great substance and he has India in such a dominant position against Australia.”