Cricket

Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has heaped praise on middle-order batter KL Rahul for his scintillating performance in the second and final Test match against England at Green Park in Kanpur. Rahul played a blistering knock of 68 runs off just 43 balls, showcasing his exceptional talent and ability to adapt to different match situations.Manjrekar believes that Rahul thrives when given the freedom to play aggressively. "When he has the license, where there is only a one-point agenda, like today, and even in that second innings [in Chennai], although, it was a brief innings, you just see the class of KL Rahul - the shots that he plays," Manjrekar said.Rahul's versatility and adaptability were evident in his innings, as he effortlessly switched between attacking and defensive shots. He displayed his mastery of the reverse sweep, a shot that has become his signature move. Manjrekar lauded Rahul's commitment to the team, noting that he always puts the team's needs ahead of his own.In a rain-affected Test match, India adopted an aggressive approach, aiming to force a result despite the odds favoring a draw. Skipper Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal set the tone with their aggressive batting, laying the foundation for a run-scoring fest. India declared on 285/9, taking a 52-run lead over England.With limited overs remaining, England managed to see off the day without losing any wickets. However, Ravichandran Ashwin's exceptional bowling skills proved too much for Zakir Hasan and Hasan Mahmud, who were both dismissed by the master spinner.