IPL 2021: KL Rahul is among the classiest of batsmen, says Trent Boult

Punjab Kings’ KL Rahul en route his 61 v Delhi recently. Pic/BCCI; IPL

On of the biggest challenges for Mumbai Indians in today's IPL-14 encounter at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai will be to stop in-form Punjab Kings captain KL Rahul. MI's bowlers have often experienced that when Rahul gets going, he's unstoppable. Rahul's last five innings against Rohit Sharma's MI - 94 (60 balls), 71 not out (57), 100 not out (64), 17 (19) and 77 (51) - clearly suggests that the Mumbai outfit are his most preferred team, considering he has scored a whopping 580 runs in 12 innings against them at an average of 64.44 and a strike rate of 131.22.

The last time these two teams met - in Dubai - it took a Super Over to decide the winner (Punjab). Currently, Rahul is in fine form too with two significant scores (91 v Rajasthan Royals and 61 v Delhi Capitals) in four matches so far.

MI pacer Trent Boult during the match against KKR last week

MI pace ace Trent Boult admitted that the Punjab Kings batsmen are a dangerous lot. "They [Punjab Kings batsmen] are incredibly dangerous. I have bowled to KL Rahul a few times and I think he is one of the classiest batsmen in the world when he gets going. Chris Gayle, the Universe Boss, is a very experienced player. It's going to be a great challenge. So, 100 per cent we need to be on [the top of] our game as a bowling unit," Boult said at the virtual press conference on match eve.

A misfiring middle-order is a cause of concern for both teams though. For Punjab, while Gayle hasn't exploded in his last three innings, Nicholas Pooran has disappointed with three ducks in four games.

Meanwhile, MI too need the likes of Kieron Pollard, Ishan Kishan and the Pandya brothers to fire. Boult couldn't agree more, and hoped that the middle-order get their act together before they move base to Delhi for their next four games. "I'm sure the middle-order is probably not too pleased with how things are going so far, but I know the guys are hungry and desperate to put in the performance in our last game here in Chennai. We have not had an ideal start, obviously [we would] liked to have a few more runs on the board. But one of the strengths of this side is fighting till the end and the bowlers have managed to do that," he said.