KL Rahul will look to make his presence felt when the Indian team takes on Pakistan in the ongoing 2021 T20 World Cup.
Follow Us
Former Australian cricketer Matthew Hayden believes that Indian opener KL Rahul will present a major threat to Pakistan in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2021 encounter, between the two sides. Rahul was in great form during the recently concluded edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), and has looked confident in India’s two warm-up matches conducted against England and Australia so far. Hayden is a part of the Pakistan coaching staff for the ongoing T20 World Cup 2021, with a lack of clarity over an extension of the contract.
“More or less I have watched KL Rahul grow and he is a major threat to Pakistan. I have watched him grow up as a boy. I have seen his struggles and his dominance in shorter formats. Have seen someone like Rishab Pant, his brash nature and beautiful vision for the game, how he has destroyed bowling attacks because he has got the opportunity because he sees it that way,” said Hayden in a media interaction as quoted by Indian Express.
Hayden has admitted that he had never imagined sitting inside the Pakistan dressing room. The former Australian cricketer termed an opportunity to share his knowledge with players from Pakistan as a great privilege.
”It’s a great honour and privilege to share my cricket knowledge with Pakistan players. I must confess that I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would be sitting inside the Pakistan dressing room. All the great battles over the years that we have had as nations…the mood is high and the relationships within the team are strong, players seem very happy, very relaxed in spite of the obvious pressures, in particular, the pressure starting with our first match. The camp is strong and solid and feels good and it’s a great privilege to be a part of it,” said Hayden in the press conference.
The former Australian cricketer compared the rivalry shared between Pakistan and India, as being somewhat similar to England versus Australia. Hayden however believes that the former’s matches drive the most interest.
”For Australia, it’s England as the old guard I would say aI mean you could argue that England at various stages we have been ruled by the kingdom of the UK and cricket wouldn’t have been on our shores if it hadn’t been for that but also throughout our various elements of the game that I have been a part of nothing matches the rivalry between India and Pakistan. There is an obvious pressure as there is obvious pressure if you are playing England if you are an Australian,” he stated.
“The pressure is only as much as you allow it to be. Your preparation is there, your experience is there, your opportunity now becomes very history-making. We can present all the stats do all our homework and research but nothing can replace what would be the stat that we all write about, dream about and coach about and commentate on which will be the event itself. I have sensed that players are ready for the opportunity and there is calmness around our group,” added Hayden.
