IPL 2020: KL Rahul defends his low strike rate

Kings XI Punjab captain and opening batsman KL Rahul has defended his low strike-rate in recent matches. The opener has been criticised for batting too slowly and thus putting up pressure on his batting partners. Many have speculated that him captaining the team is burdening his free-flowing batting.

Speaking to the media after KXIP’s defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rahul said, “Strike-rates are very, very overrated. For me, it’s only about how I can win games for my team. And if on a certain day I think a strike-rate of 120 can win the game for my team, I will do that. This is how I bat and I would like to take responsibility as a leader. We all make mistakes, I’m not saying I have not made a few mistakes but you learn each day as a leader, as a batter.”

Apart from his knock of 132 not out from 69 balls against Royal Challengers Bangalore, none of his five innings in this IPL have a strike rate over 130. His innings of 17 runs from 19 balls against Mumbai Indians is his slowest knock in the season. His slow starts in the Powerplay have forced Mayank Agarwal to take more risks at the other end. However, Rahul remains unmoved by this record.

Kings XI Punjab currently occupy the bottom spot of the IPL 2020 points table with only one victory in their six matches. One of their matches was tied with Delhi Capitals and KXIP lost in the super over. Punjab team will now be facing Kolkata Knight Riders in the afternoon game on 10th October.