IPL 2024: Justin Langer’s influence will bring best out of KL Rahul, says MSK Prasad
Former India selection committee chairman MSK Prasad has shown confidence in the coach-captain pair of KL Rahul and Justin Langer to flourish for the Lucknow Super Giants in the Indian Premier League 2024. The newly-appointed Director – Talent Search and Academies of the Super Giants backed Justin Langer’s influence to do wonders for KL Rahul and his future prospects of leading Team India.
MSK Prasad was all praise for Justin Langer and LSG’s decision to appoint the former Australia head coach to steer the team in IPL 2024. Langer replaced Andy Flower as the head coach of the team after the former Zimbabwe captain’s two-year tenure came to an end at the end of the last season.
The former India wicketkeeper revealed that Justin Langer is someone who meditates for 3 hours a day and radiates calmness, expressing confidence that it would be reflected on the way Lucknow play their cricket in IPL 2024. Langer found incredible success with the Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash League, winning the title 3 times and leading Australia to their first and only T20 World Cup crown in 2021.
“You’re talking about KL Rahul being calm. I think you can’t get a calmer person than Justin Langer. Can you believe he does close to three hours of meditation every day and if you are on your own, with that person, you feel that kind of calmness, you feel that kind of serenity?” MSK Prasad said in a press conference organised by Star Sports.
“Whatever has been portrayed about him is different from the person that he is. We got in touch with each other for the last 3-4 months, so he’s a different person. But he knows how to control his emotions. He’s got enough titles while working for Perth Scorchers. He’s got a bit of success in T20 cricket in the Big Bash League as well as with the Australian cricket team,” he added.
Under Flower’s coaching, LSG managed to reach the play-offs in the last two years. Langer, who has been hands-on since arriving in the Super Giants camp in Lucknow, will be hoping to take the team a step further.
‘WE WILL A DIFFERENT KL RAHUL’
MSK Prasad revealed that Justin Langer and KL Rahul have been in touch over the last 3 months and that he is hopeful that Langer’s influence will bring the best out of the captain in the Indian star.
“So for me, you know, what is going to be the biggest gaining factor is how he is going to mould KL Rahul. Or, in fact, they have been in touch with each other for the last 3 months, talking on a day-to-day basis. KL Rahul has also been a vice-captain of India, has also led the Indian team, but at times he holds himself back a bit. So probably, I think, with Justin Langer coming into the LSG side, we’ll see a different KL Rahul in the upcoming season.”
“Hopefully, whatever the games that LSG is going to have, hopefully even team India is going to benefit. He is definitely a very good wicketkeeper. As we have seen suddenly, 6 months and 7 months after the injury, he came into the World Cup and the impact he created there with bat and gloves speaks volumes about him. KL Rahul is an introvert sort of person. He doesn’t really express himself outside, but I hope Langer’s influence will get the best out of him. Hopefully, we will unearth a new captain in KL Rahul for the future.”
Rajasthan Royals will host the Lucknow Super Giants at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on March 24, Sunday.
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