KL Rahul’s 6 Favourite Shots: The Strokes That Define His Batting

There’s a certain kind of batter who makes you stop all your work and just watch. KL Rahul is that batter.

Rahul doesn’t smash the ball out of the park with brute force. He times it. He places it. He makes it look like the most natural thing in the world.

And that’s exactly what makes his shot-making so fun to watch. Here’s a look at the cricket shots that define KL Rahul.

Cover Drive

If you had to pick one shot that screams “KL Rahul”, it’s the cover drive. He plays it with an effortless grace that few batters in world cricket can match.

The head stays still, the front foot glides forward and the bat comes through in a perfect arc. And the ball races to the boundary before you even realise he’s played the shot.

Flick Off the Pads

Rahul has a gift for reading the line of the delivery early. When the ball slides onto his pads, he doesn’t just nudge it. He flicks it with sharp wrists and sends it flying to the fine leg boundary.

There’s barely any effort involved. It’s all timing and wrist work. And it makes even a good delivery look like it was bowled in the wrong spot.

Pull Shot

Rahul loves to take on the short ball. When a bowler digs it in thinking it’ll trouble him, Rahul rocks back and pulls it with complete authority.

He gets into position quickly and connects cleanly. And the ball disappears over mid-wicket or square leg in a flash.

What’s impressive is how controlled the shot looks even when played with full power.

Ramp Over Fine Leg

This one is pure innovation. When a bowler targets the stumps with pace, Rahul calmly gets under the ball and ramps it over fine leg.

It’s a cheeky shot. And it takes real skill, because the margin for error is tiny. But Rahul pulls it off more often than not.

Square Cut

Short and wide? That’s an invitation Rahul never turns down. 

He gets on top of the ball quickly and slashes it through point or backward point with tremendous timing.

The shot is elegant yet aggressive at the same time. Few batters can make a cut shot look that smooth.

Straight Drive

When a bowler overpitches, Rahul punishes them with a straight drive. He leans into the ball and drives it back past the bowler with the full face of the bat.

It’s a classical shot played in a classical way. And it’s a reminder that Rahul is, at heart, a technically sound batter who just happens to play in all formats.

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