"Having so many options as a stroke player can sometimes work against him"- Matthew Hayden on KL Rahul's Test struggles ahead of BGT 2024-25
Former Australian batter Matthew Hayden believes KL Rahul's struggles in Tests stem from the wicketkeeper-batter having too many options and not knowing his own game. Hayden suggested Rahul and all the other batters from both sides must bide time and bat for long periods to succeed in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy down under.
India and Australia will battle each other over five Tests, starting in Perth on November 22.
Coming to Rahul, his recent Test form has been sub-par with an average of 33.42 in five games this year. The 32-year-old was dismissed cheaply in both innings of the India A-Australia A three-day match in the build-up to the Australia Tests.
In an interaction with Channel 7, Hayden advised Rahul to recognize his batting style for the long format and take his time to build an innings.
"KL Rahul is undoubtedly a beautiful stroke player. Expecting to suddently adopt a completely different style, like turning into a Usman Khawaja, would be like asking Travis Head to play like someone he's not. Every batter has a unique approach to the game. But first, you need to know your game. That might be KL Rahul's challenge - having so many options as a stroke player can sometimes work against him. He needs to focus on the basic principle of batting for windows of time," said Hayden via TOI.
He added:
"Look, my advice, not just to KL Rahul but to all batters in this series, is that no one needs to rush in a Test match. Batting conditions are often favorable through to day three, but we rarely see Test matches in this country extending to the fifth day - unless weather becomes a factor. I think the key is to bat time."
KL Rahul has historically struggled with the bat in Tests down under, averaging a dismal 20.77 in nine innings.
"If KL Rahul is slated to bat in the middle order, he might find conditions more favorable" - Matthew Hayden
![Rahul has found the going difficult in his lengthy Test career [Credit: Getty]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/11/1af9f-17321157364686-1920.jpg?w=500)
Matthew Hayden backed KL Rahul to express himself better with the bat in the middle order, thanks to favorable conditions and an older ball.
The stylish right-hander has batted at No.6 for India in five of his last six Tests. Yet, with the absence of skipper Rohit Sharma for the opening Test and the injury to Shubman Gill, Rahul might find himself back in the top three.
"If Rahul is slated to bat in the middle order, he might find conditions more favorable with the new ball being slightly older. This could allow him to express himself better than when facing the new ball as an opener," said Hayden.
Despite being a veteran of 53 Tests, Rahul has struggled for consistency with a career average of under 34. Yet, he has showcased his red-ball prowess occasionally with five combined centuries in challenging conditions like South Africa, England, and Australia.