Don’t think KL Rahul did anything wrong with his captaincy: Dale Steyn

KL Rahul is off to a rocky start as India captain. Under his leadership, India lost the second Test in Johannesburg by seven wickets and in the first One-Day International (ODI) he led, his team went down by 31 runs against South Africa in Paarl.

Even in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Rahul did not have the best of times leading Punjab Kings (PBKS) where his side finished sixth both seasons he led. Despite the loss in the first ODI former South Africa pacer Dale Steyn reckons there was not much wrong with the way Rahul led.

“If you look at KL, I don’t think he did anything wrong with his captaincy. He had a good day. But there were just those little differences, the little bit of planning that was the difference between India and the Proteas," Steyn said during the Cricket Live Show after the match.

"South Africa were walking up to the bowlers, India stayed in their crease. It’s the little things KL is going to get better at,” he added.

Steyn also reckons that a few players were rusty given that they have not played in a while.

“He must understand today was his first game as captain. They haven’t played a lot of white-ball cricket. Some of the guys who have come out haven’t played cricket in a while. Little bit of ring rust. So they are going to get better," Steyn opined 

"But he has got only 24 hours to turn this whole thing around. So today was a good day for them. They must have learnt from South Africa what they did right."

In 2018, India registered a memorable 5-1 ODI series win in South Africa, but are 1-0 down in the three-match series. They will have a chance to level the series when they take on the Proteas in the second game on Friday (January 21).