Rahul’s strike charge had come beneath query through the Asia Cup and the continued residence collection towards South Africa. Though India needed to chase down solely 107 within the first T20 towards the Proteas, questions have been raised on Rahul’s intent as he scored an unbeaten 51 off 56 balls.
Chatting with PTI, Watson mentioned that Rahul must be aggressive with the primary ball within the World Cup Down Below.
“KL Rahul is one in all my favourite batsmen. For me when he’s batting at his finest, when he’s aggressive, he leads the sport and isn’t making an attempt to manage the sport.
“He has that ability, when he’s reacting to the ball coming down, he has pictures throughout the sector towards one of the best bowlers on the earth.
“I like watching him when he feels he has nothing to lose, he can strike 180 with out taking an excessive amount of threat. If he’s in a position to try this (in Australia), that is lots. All of the bowlers will probably be in hassle,” mentioned top-of-the-line all-rounders to have performed for Australia.
Watson is presently in India for Legends League cricket.
‘India’s quick bowling largest concern’
With critical query marks over the supply of injured Jasprit Bumrah for ICC occasions, India’s tempo assault looks like their weakest hyperlink.
Watson additionally thinks alongside the identical strains and needs Mohammad Siraj to exchange Bumrah if Bumrah is taken into account unfit for the World Cup.
“India have definitely bought the batting to do extremely nicely in Australian situations however the largest query mark is about their tempo bowling.
“The spinners, Axar Patel and Yuzi Chahal, are simply nearly as good as anybody on the earth in all situations, however particularly quick bowling with out Bumrah, even when they will display ability beneath strain on the again finish of the sport. That is it The place groups are attempting to show India.”
Watson mentioned that India wants a bowler who can bowl at greater than 140 kmph in Bumrah’s absence.
“It is an actual concern (lack of specific pace), so Siraj can be a very good possibility within the absence of Bumrah.
“The tempo he bowls and the ability he has, swing it and push it in the direction of 150kmph with the brand new ball and he can do nicely ultimately too.
“He gives that ingredient that different Indian bowlers do not essentially have,” mentioned the 41-year-old, including that he would decide Siraj over Mohammed Shami within the group.
“The way in which Hardik is batting and bowling is particular”
From one prime all-rounder to a different, Watson heaped reward on Hardik Pandya, saying he could make a big effect in each recreation he performs for India. Since his return from damage, Hardik has executed his job with each bat and ball.
He mentioned, “I do not like it greater than to see an all-rounder who’s bowling at a very good tempo and hits the ball like Hardik. To have the ability to work by way of his physique points and that With the ability to bowl like now’s one thing particular.
“He’s a match-winning child. Each time he bowls within the recreation, he could make a big impact. His batting retains going by way of the roof.
“Everybody knew he had actual approach to bat within the center overs and never only a energy hitter on the finish. He has proven it. And he’s bowling at over 140,” Watson mentioned.
The pleasant Australian can also be backing Virat Kohli to get tons of runs in Australia as he has executed prior to now.
“It is improbable (that he is again in kind. The nice factor is that he was capable of take a while off to have the ability to reactivate his battery. Just a few pictures that he performed towards the Australian quick bowlers ( In a current collection), you knew he was again at his finest.”
Relating to Australian cricket, Watson mentioned that Steve Smith and David Warner ought to think about captaining the one-day group after the retirement of Aaron Finch.
He feels each have paid for his or her errors, referring to the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa.
“Will probably be fascinating to see which means Australia goes. They’ve two gamers, Warner and Smith. I am undecided they may go down that path, I personally suppose they positively ought to as a result of they Have paid on your errors in an enormous means.
“We have to go forward and decide probably the most appropriate one that can work beneath strain.”
