Last year, a social media influencer's Instagram reel went viral featuring an interviewee decoding an incomplete footage of a DRS call. Without even glancing at the footage, he confidently declared, "out hai sir." When asked to shift the focus of the photo, Mahendra Singh Dhoni appeared in the background, flawlessly executing another DRS call, now famously known as the 'Dhoni' Review System.
In this World Cup, it wouldn't be inappropriate to dub KL Rahul as the DRS maestro and christen it the 'Decision Rahul System'. Throughout the tournament, the Indian wicket-keeper thwarted enthusiastic bowlers or captains from signaling a 'T' to the umpire on at least five occasions.
Amidst the various dynamics of the tournament, Rahul has emerged as a crucial component. While Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Mohammed Shami showcase brilliance, Rahul, with his 386 runs at a nearly 99 strike-rate and a 77 average, operates discreetly, providing the essential calming influence every team requires.
Rahul's cricketing persona is intriguing—a masterstroke when in full flow, yet occasionally lackluster; composed when in form, yet prepared for a disheveled stroke now and then. For close to a decade, he has been an enigma in Indian cricket, despite boasting Test centuries in Sydney, Lord's and Centurion. Despite his talent matching that of Rohit or Kohli, Rahul has faced periods of self-doubt, interspersed between moments of brilliance.
In this World Cup, Rahul has become a symbol of assurance. His contribution goes beyond runs and dismissals; it extends to crucial catches like the one against Devon Conway in the semi-final, a moment that would have surely pleased Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
1/7:A new chapter to India vs Australia rivalry
<p>India and Australia have faced off in some of the most engaging contests in recent times and a new chapter to their rivalry will be added when they contest 50-over cricket's ultimate glory in Sunday's World Cup final in Ahmedabad. The familiar foes will conclude their campaign like they started it, against each other, and none of the 130,000-odd seats at the Narendra Modi Stadium will be empty. (Getty Images)</p>
2/7:It's 10-0 so far for favourites India
<p>Favourites India comprehensively beat number two-ranked Australia in their tournament opener and then strung together 10 wins in a row to storm into the final of their home World Cup with an unblemished record. Australia, by contrast, began with two defeats before going on an eight-match winning streak. "We want to take on the best. They've been the best in the tournament so far," Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc said of India. "It's why we play the game." (Getty Images)<br /></p>
3/7:Captain Rohit Sharma has led by example
<p>Captain Rohit Sharma and his team's semi-final victory against New Zealand, considered their bogey side, has answered questions about India's fragility in knockouts. Rohit has led by example, with unbridled aggression at the top allowing others to play with more freedom. Virat Kohli, the tournament's leading scorer, has been the trusted anchor, while others have batted around the senior duo in India's familiar template. "The top-five-six batters, whenever they've gotten an opportunity, they've made it really count," Rohit said after the semi-final. (PTI Photo)<br /></p>
4/7:Team India's potent bowling attack
<p>India's bowling, aided by the knowledge of home conditions, has been equally impressive. Jasprit Bumrah has stifled batters both with the new ball and in the death overs while Mohammed Shami has emerged as the tournament's leading wicket-taker despite warming the bench in India's first four matches. The left-arm duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja have shared the spin duties with considerable success on their quest for a third 50-overs World Cup trophy. (AP Photo)<br /></p>
5/7:India can't underestimate Australia
<p>Expectation in the cricket-mad country is particularly high since the last three editions of the tournament have been won by the host nation. Australia, however, are banking on their ability to lift themselves in big moments to gatecrash the Indian party and earn a sixth World Cup title. Captain Pat Cummins and his men made heavy weather of a small target in Thursday's semi-final against South Africa, but India would underestimate Australia at their own peril. (Reuters Photo)</p>
6/7:Adam Zampa, Australia's leading wicket-taker
<p>In Adam Zampa they have a potent leg-spinner with 22 wickets in the tournament and a three-pronged pace attack finally firing on all cylinders after a stellar show against South Africa. Glenn Maxwell can bat any team out of contention, as he did with his outrageous double century against Afghanistan and 40-ball 100 against the Netherlands. (AP Photo)</p>
7/7:'It's going to be a special final'
<p>India's coach Rahul Dravid was part of the squad that was blown away by Australia in the 2003 final. Australia also beat India in the final of the World Test Championship final earlier this year and skipper Cummins cannot wait to try and lead them to a second global title despite little support from the stands. "It's going to be packed, pretty one-sided I reckon, so you just have to embrace it," Cummins said. "It's going to be a special final." (Reuters Photo)<br /></p>With 16 dismissals in 10 games (15 catches and 1 stumping), Rahul ranks second only to Quinton de Kock, a specialist 'keeper. Remarkably, considering he wasn't a regular 'keeper until a few years ago, his performance has been phenomenal. Additionally, Rahul's judgment of DRS calls stands out, attributed to his impeccable footwork behind the stumps, as noted by former India keeper Deep Dasgupta.
"DRS is not just a wicketkeeper's call only. The wicketkeeper can neither gauge the impact nor the height. The impact (whether pitched within stumps) is generally a bowler's call or the skipper standing at mid-on or mid-off.
"The guy stationed adjacent to square leg umpire needs to check the height while the 'keeper with his movement would get an idea where the ball finishes," Dasgupta explained the whole process.
Despite appearances, Rohit may not seem as process-oriented as Kohli, especially in the realm of DRS calls.
Rahul's influence behind the stumps has been instrumental, dissuading bowlers with his precise understanding of where the ball is likely to conclude.
While Dhoni was renowned for making accurate DRS calls, Dasgupta provided an intriguing perspective on the legendary Indian skipper's consistently high percentage of correct decisions.
"If you check the numbers, most of Dhoni's DRS calls have gone with Umpires' Call. So when India didn't get a decision, they at least kept the review. There would never be any outrageous calls. Same with Rahul. He is someone who could temper an enthusiastic bowler's expectations," Dasgupta.
Rahul's proficiency behind the stumps rivals that of any other, and his technique of allowing the ball to "literally melt" into his gloves is a delight for cricket enthusiasts.
Impressively, despite not regularly keeping to Kuldeep Yadav, Rahul demonstrates remarkable skill in reading the left-arm wrist spinner's deliveries, seamlessly adjusting his footwork.
Dasgupta, functioning as a broadcaster, had the opportunity to engage with Rahul. He observed that mentally Rahul approaches the game with the mindset of a wicketkeeper, and this mental shift has significantly elevated his keeping abilities.
"He told me during one of the interactions that he doesn't see himself as a part-time keeper and looks at himself as a keeper-batter," Dasgupta said.
The intriguing transformation in mindset has proven to be a pivotal factor.
From an external perspective, Rahul is perceived as a specialist batter who takes on the additional role of keeping. This dual role provides him with a buffer in the eyes of fans; even if he makes a mistake, the perception battle is in his favour. Fans tend to be more forgiving compared to a scenario where a specialist 'keeper like Ishan Kishan commits a similar error.
Undoubtedly, Rahul has become the custodian of India's fortunes, donning the responsibilities of both a batter and a wicketkeeper.
