As the IPL 2023 inches closer, fans and pundits alike are speculating about the best opening batting combinations that teams could field. One of the most talked-about duos is the one comprising KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock for the Lucknow franchise.
Rahul and de Kock are both established international batters who have made their mark in the IPL as well. Rahul, with his solid technique and elegant strokeplay, has been a consistent performer for several seasons now, while de Kock is one of the most destructive openers in the world when he gets going.
In the IPL 2023 auction, the Lucknow franchise managed to secure the services of Rahul for a whopping INR 17.00 Crore, while de Kock was retained for INR 6.75 Cr. With such high-profile batters at the top of the order, it’s easy to see why fans are excited about their prospects in the upcoming season.
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However, there is a potential flaw in this partnership that could cause problems for the Super Giants. Both Rahul and de Kock are excellent against pace, with both striking at over 140. However, they both struggle against spin, with strike rates of 125.35 and 116.21 respectively.
This could be a cause for concern for the Lucknow franchise, as teams with quality spinners could potentially exploit this weakness and restrict the flow of runs. In IPL 2022, Rahul was dismissed by spin only once but struggled to score at a decent strike rate against them. Additionally, Rahul’s poor form at the international level has also been a worry, and he even lost his vice-captaincy because of it. Meanwhile, de Kock hasn’t had much game time of late either.
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Despite their spin woes, the Lucknow franchise will be banking on Rahul and de Kock to provide them with solid starts in the upcoming IPL. The two openers have a reputation for being aggressive and fearless, and their ability to take the game away from the opposition will be crucial to the team’s success.
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In conclusion, while Rahul and de Kock may not have the same impact against spin as they do against pace, they are still a formidable opening partnership and will be looking to make a mark in IPL 2023. Whether they can overcome their weakness against spin remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure – they will be a force to be reckoned with in the powerplay overs.
