Visakhapatnam, Dec 7: Former South African fast-bowling great Dale Steyn has heaped praise on KL Rahul, crediting the Indian stand-in captain for steering the side to a well-earned 2–1 triumph over South Africa in the recently concluded three-match ODI series.
India set the tone in Ranchi with a hard-fought 17-run win before sealing the series in emphatic fashion, cruising to a nine-wicket victory in the final ODI. Across the three games, Steyn observed a visible sense of calm and clarity in Rahul’s leadership, which he believes played a decisive role in the team’s success.
Speaking on ‘Cricket Live’, Steyn highlighted Rahul’s composed demeanour under pressure and his ability to manage both his bowling resources and match situations with maturity. “KL Rahul’s captaincy has been very good in this series,” Steyn said. “He has marshalled his bowlers well, and they’ve responded brilliantly. Even with a wet ball, he never complained. After the second ODI loss, when asked what he might have done differently, he simply said the toss—because it played a huge role.”
According to Steyn, Rahul’s strength lies not only in his tactical judgement but also in his willingness to draw on the experience of senior figures within the team.
“You can see he is calm, cool and collected. He leans on Rohit Sharma for advice, and he captains with conviction himself. He also turns to Virat Kohli when it comes to motivating the group,” Steyn noted.
The former pacer added that Rahul’s rapport with his bowlers has been a standout factor, especially during tight situations. “His team responds well to him and his bowlers back him,” Steyn joked. (Agencies)
