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Explained: Why Has KL Rahul Performed Better Than Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma In BGT 2024?

Debashis Sarangi

KL has been much better than Kohli, Rohit [Source: AP]KL has been much better than Kohli, Rohit [Source: AP]

India's experienced top-order batter KL Rahul had another impressive outing in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, slamming a magnificent knock in the ongoing third Test at The Gabba in Brisbane. Opening the batting alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rahul played a gritty innings to frustrate the Australians in the high-voltage clash. 

While Rahul's dodged resistance and elegant stroke-play earned him massive applause from around the world, the failure of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma disappointed India's passionate cricket fans once again. Despite Rahul tackling the Australian seamers with utmost perfection at one end, Kohli and Rohit couldn't make their mark at The Gabba, managing only 13 runs combined. 

In such a scenario, you might be curious about the difference in the batting techniques of these three players. So, as Rahul continues his fight against the Aussies, here are several factors which have made him more successful than Kohli and Rohit on the Australian tour. 


Why Has KL Rahul Been More Successful Than Kohli, Rohit In BGT?

No Early Commitment, Better Leaving Technique

  • Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have committed the basic error of committing early onto the front foot while facing the Australian pacers on seam-friendly decks. As they committed early, the legendary batters got struck in the crease and found it incredibly challenging to transfer their weight while playing the moving ball pitched around the 4-6m length. 
  • On the other hand, KL Rahul has been a tad late in his trigger movement. This has helped him get his head position steady, allowing him to judge the line of the ball in a better way. So, Rahul has been more decisive around his off stump and left the fourth-stump line deliveries with ease, while Rohit and Kohli have got out by poking at similar balls. 

Ability To Play Late

Interception points of Rohit, Kohli and Rahul [Source: @gavaskar_theman/X]Interception points of Rohit, Kohli and Rahul [Source: @gavaskar_theman/X]

  • On tracks where the ball moves off the surface, it's important for the batters to allow the ball to come instead of reaching out for it. 
  • From the given image, it can be clearly seen that Virat Kohli has reached out for the deliveries with hard hands, justifying his caught-behind dismissals. Rohit Sharma's interception points are also much ahead of the popping crease, while KL Rahul has allowed the ball to come and played it late with soft hands. 
  • Thus, Rahul's ability to play the ball late has helped him in BGT, and his strong defensive technique has reaped rich rewards for the Karnataka batter. 

Decisive Drive Against Half Volleys

  • The Australian fast bowlers have outfoxed Rohit and Kohli by bowling around the 4-6m length. However, KL Rahul hasn't fallen into their trap, as he hasn't driven a delivery other than a half-volley. 
  • Rahul has been more decisive while driving the ball, playing the shot only when the Australians have over-pitched it.