Also Read: IPL 2024: MI to clash with Bengaluru's Kohli at Wankhede Stadium

Lance Klusener. Pic/AFP

Poll

Who will win the Punjab Elections?

BJP 32.86%

AAP 41.43%

INC 25.71%

Submit

View All In Poll

Talking to media at the team hotel, Klusener had more words of praise for Rahul. “He is a fantastic captain; so cool and calculated. He never gets ruffled. Moreover, he is respected by all his teammates. The way he has been leading LSG is praiseworthy. He has handled his role of captain and wicketkeeper very well. He has made starts, but I reckon a big one is right around the corner.”

When he was asked specifically about the injury status of upcoming fast bowlers Mayank Yadav and Mohsin Khan, Klusener said that the fitness issue was not part of his responsibility as he was the “power-hitting” assistant coach of the team. 

However, when he was asked about the reason for the spate of injuries in modern cricket, he said: “A fast bowler knows his body well. It is up to him to realise how much workload he can take. 

During my time, there was a balance between gymming and playing on the field. But now, there is too much intense cricket all year round and it is for an individual to decide his workload.”

When asked about power-hitting in T20 cricket, the coach said that it was just one aspect of batting. “Of course, everybody likes to see boundary hits. But then, a player should also have the ability to read the game and play accordingly. One also has to analyse the direction of the wind and the shorter side of the boundary to get those big hits out of the ground,” Klusener said.

‘LSG pacers are fantastic’

The former South Africa all-rounder had a special word of praise for the LSG bowling unit. “Our bowlers, especially pace bowers, are fantastic. They are working hard. Of course, injuries are a setback. But as a unit, they have been bowling very well. The way they defended [163] against GT was indeed praiseworthy,” the coach said, two days ahead of LSG’s next match against Delhi Capitals on Friday night at the Ekana Stadium here.