T20 World Cup 2022: KL Rahul hit a 31-ball fifty, smashing 4 stunning sixes as the vice-captain showed signs of a return to form after having gone through a period of lean patch. Rahul gave India a fine start against Bangladesh in Adelaide on Wednesday.

KL Rahul hit a 31-ball fifty against Bangladesh (AP Photo)

By India Today Web Desk: India vice-captain KL Rahul repaid the faith shown in him by the team management, especially head coach Rahul Dravid, after hitting a well-paced fifty in their T20 World Cup 2022 Super 12 match against Bangladesh in Adelaide on Wednesday, November 2. KL Rahul got to his fifty in just 31 balls as he gave India a fine start in their big-ticket match.

KL Rahul’s place in the side was questioned as the star batter had been through an extended lean patch in T20I cricket. Rahul, before Wednesday, had scored just 22 runs in the first 3 matches in T20 World Cup 2022. Rahul looked scratchy against Pakistan and was struggling to put bat to ball against the Netherlands and South Africa. In fact, Rahul played out a maiden over against South Africa, failing to set the tone for India at the top of the order in Perth on Sunday.

India vs Bangladesh, T20 World Cup Updates

Rahul’s evident lack in confidence led to calls for dropping him in the middle of the T20 World Cup but the star batter shut out the outside noise to hit a free-flowing fifty. Rahul faced 4 dot balls at the top of the order but he got going as early as the second over, hitting a stunning six in Shoriful Islam’s first over.

Rahul made his intentions clear as he stayed on his backfoot and square-cut a wide delivery from Shoriful into the stands, sending the Adelaide crowd into a tizzy. Rahul then targetted young Hasan Mahmud in the 4th over, hitting another special six, this time slicing a full-length delivery into the cover boundary.

Rahul was flaunting his effortless big-hitting skills as he struck 4 big sixes and 3 boundaries for his 32-ball 50. Rahul was disappointed when he got out to Shakib Al Hasan in the 10th over as he missed out on an opportunity to make the most of his free-flowing touch.

Notably, India head coach Rahul Dravid dismissed concerns about Rahul’s form when he addressed the press on Tuesday, saying that the team management has full faith in him. Dravid also said Rahul was working hard in training sessions and was hitting them well at the nets.

In fact, Virat Kohli and Dravid were keeping a close eye on Rahul’s training sessions on Tuesday with the former captain also having a chat and offering tips to Rahul.