KL Rahul masters middle order: Adapting, excelling, delivering for Team India

Since becoming a full-time number 5 in ODIs, KL Rahul has expanded his range as a middle-order batter.

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Since becoming a full-time number 5 in ODIs, KL Rahul has expanded his range as a middle-order batter. Since 2020, he has averaged 61.52 in that position--higher than anyone else with a minimum of 20 innings, including Heinrich Klaasen, whose average is nearly seven points lower.

However, leading up to the Champions Trophy, India wanted to introduce variety in their right-hand-heavy lineup and decided to promote Axar Patel to No. 5. As a result, Rahul shifted down to No. 6 but has quickly adapted, working extensively on his power-hitting.

"Yeah, I do [enjoy batting at the top], I mean I won't lie," Rahul told Star Sports, as quoted from ESPNcricinfo.

"It's after opening the batting in Australia in Test matches and having to face that attack in Australia and you know how red-ball cricket is much harder. I opened the batting there and then to come here and bat low seems a bit different, but this is how I've played white-ball cricket in the last four-five years," he added.