As the cricketing universe gears up for the highly anticipated Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season, former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has weighed in on a strategic move that could reshape the batting order for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).
Pathan, in an exclusive interview with Star Sports, expressed his support for KL Rahul, the captain of LSG, to bat down the order, providing a unique perspective on how this adjustment could benefit both Rahul and the team.
KL Rahul, a prolific opening batsman, has been a consistent force at the top of the order for LSG. However, Pathan’s suggestion revolves around leveraging Rahul’s versatility and adaptability by shifting him down the batting order. This strategic move, according to Pathan, could present a fresh approach for LSG and create opportunities for other explosive talents within the team.
Describing Rahul as a “car with gears in an era of automatic cars,” Pathan highlighted the Indian captain’s ability to bat in various gears, offering flexibility to navigate different situations in a T20 game. Referring to the unconventional comparison, Pathan explained, “He can bat in any gear from first to fifth. He even has a sixth gear. So considering that, KL Rahul batting down the order might not be bad at all.”
The suggestion gains significance as it opens up the possibility of South Africa’s Quinton de Kock and West Indies’ hard-hitter Kyle Mayers taking up the opening slots for LSG. Mayers, who amassed 379 runs in 13 matches in the previous season, and De Kock, with his explosive batting prowess, could form a dynamic opening partnership for the Lucknow-based franchise.
Pathan emphasized the potential benefits for both the team and Rahul, envisioning a team combination that includes both De Kock and Mayers. He suggested that in such a scenario, LSG could opt for an all-Indian pace attack, aligning with the team’s strategic goals for the upcoming season.
The former cricketer also praised LSG’s pace-bowling strength, singling out Yash Thakur’s impressive performances in the previous season and commending the addition of Shivam Mavi. LSG secured Mavi’s services for Rs 6.40 crore in the mini-auction held in Dubai last year, reinforcing their commitment to bolstering the pace department.
“Their fast bowling is quite good. We were very impressed with the way Yash Thakur bowled last year. The Jammu and Kashmir boy Yudhvir Singh Charak also bowled very well. Mohsin Khan, if he remains fit, is an asset for his team as a left-arm bowler. They have acquired Shivam Mavi as well, which means they want express pace because the nature of the Lucknow pitch has changed slightly,” Pathan commented.
As the IPL 2024 approaches, Pathan’s strategic insights add an intriguing layer to the unfolding narrative of LSG’s team dynamics. Whether KL Rahul embraces a new role down the order and how this strategic shift impacts the team’s performance will be closely watched by fans and cricket enthusiasts alike when the action kicks off on March 23.