KL Rahul is one of my favourite batters, bats at his best when he has nothing to lose: Shane Watson

Former Australia all-rounder Shane Watson wants India opener, KL Rahul, to approach the T20 World Cup later this month with a nothing to lose mentality because that is how he bats best.

Rahul’s strike rate has come under scrutiny during the Asia Cup and the ongoing home T20I series against South Africa. Though India had to chase down only 107 in the opening T20 against South Africa, concerns were raised concerning Rahul’s intent as he concluded with 51 not out off 56 balls.

Rahul, according to Watson, must take the aggressive approach from the first ball of the T20 World Cup in Australia.

“KL Rahul is one of my favourite batters. To me when he is batting at his best, when he is aggressive, he takes the game on and is not trying to control the game. He has got that skill, when he is just reacting to the ball coming down, he has all the shots all around the ground against the best bowlers in the world,” Watson was quoted as saying by PTI.

“I love seeing him when he feels like he’s got nothing to lose, then he can even strike at 180 without taking too much risk. If he is able to do that (in Australia), there will be a lot of bowlers in trouble,” said one of the best all-rounders to have played for Australia.

Watson wants Mohammad Siraj to take Bumrah’s place if the latter is deemed unfit for the World Cup.

“The spinners, Axar Patel and Yuzi Chahal, are as good as anyone in the world in all conditions but fast bowling without Bumrah in particular, whether they can execute skills under pressure at the back end of the game. That is where teams will be trying to expose India.”

India need a bowler who can bowl in excess of 140kmph in the absence of Bumrah, said Watson.

“It is a genuine concern (lack of express pace), that is why Siraj will be a good option if Bumrah isn’t there.

“The pace at which he bowls and the skills he has got, swinging it away and pushing towards 150 kmph with the brand new ball and he can execute well in the end as well.

“He provides that element that other Indian bowlers don’t necessarily have,” said the 41-year-old, adding that he would pick Siraj over Mohammad Shami in the squad.