KL Rahul, India's wicketkeeper-batter, was instrumental in the Champions Trophy 2025 semi-final against Australia, showcasing a bold style as he partnered with Virat Kohli during a pivotal moment in the chase. He finished with an impressive 42 not out off 34 balls, hitting the winning runs and securing India's spot in the final.

After India's four-wicket win, former cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu praised Rahul for his adaptability and unselfishness. Over the years, Rahul has established himself as a versatile player, easily shifting between different batting roles based on what the team needs.

Whether he's opening the innings, holding down the middle order, or finishing off the game, he tackles every challenge head-on. Earlier this year in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Rahul moved around the batting order, stepping in as an opener for Rohit and also batting at no. 3 and no. 5 in a Test match.

Sidhu didn't hold back in his comments about Rahul, comparing his usage to that of a 'spare tyre.'

"KL Rahul, you know, even a spare tyre isn’t used as much. You put him in as a wicketkeeper, at No. 6, as an opener, then when the BGT comes, you have him at No. 3. Then you ask him to open again. Let me tell you, opening in ODIs is easy, but doing it in Tests is the hardest. He’s a selfless player," Sidhu said on Star Sports, as reported by News18.

Rahul's adaptability shone through in the semi-final, where he played a composed innings, keeping India steady during a tense chase. After Kohli was out, Rahul took on the anchor role, rotating the strike and allowing Hardik Pandya to play more aggressively.

India takes on New Zealand

India is gearing up for the Champions Trophy final against New Zealand, and having Rahul in the middle order is going to be a huge asset. The team is counting on him to deliver another stellar performance, especially with the big match happening in Dubai on March 9.

Read Also: Rohit Sharma's Future with India Hangs in the Balance as Champions Trophy Final Approaches: 'Retirement Considerations'

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