KL Rahul backs his teammates by saying that ‘You have to realise they are playing in tough conditions’
One of the key players of India who plays for India in all the three formats backed his teammates Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane will get back to their form soon. He also supported them by saying that both of them are experienced world-class batsmen, and they very well know how to get back to good form.
Both the experienced middle-order batsman Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane have not seen to be in good form in recent times. The stats back that up as both the batsman seems to have averaging 20s this year.
As both the middle-order batsman is still yet to find form in this England tour as Pujara’s scores in the first three innings in this England tour 4, 12*, 9. While for Ajinkya Rahane was not able to make a big impact as he was dismissed cheaply in two innings that he played so far in England. As he managed to only score 5 and 1 in those innings.
Indian opener KL Rahul said in a press conference in the Second Test against England after the second day’s play “Pujara and Ajinkya have done the job for India many times we were in trouble. They are world-class and experienced players so they know how to come out of a couple of innings they haven’t scored runs”.
“You have also to realize they are playing in tough conditions. In English conditions batting is always going to be challenging, you are going to get a good ball. You can’t go out there and score runs in every innings but if you get a start you make it count”.
KL Rahul scored the fifth century for India in Test Cricket on Lord’s on Thursday and also accepted that he missed out on a bigger hundred which could have put India in a much stronger position.
He was dismissed very early on Friday morning as he managed only to add two more runs to his previous day’s score. He walked back to the dressing room with big applause for his innings. KL Rahul was dismissed by Ollie Robinson. His wicket was a soft dismissal.
KL Rahul said that “I get frustrated when I am set and then get out. This (Friday) morning was crucial for us having put 270 onboard last night to go out there and get 70-80 runs in the first session which would have set things up nicely. So that’s what I was looking to do”.
“I was feeling good and fresh, so wanted to go out there and being set batting at 127, I could have played with a lot of freedom. Frustrated that I missed out on a juicy half volley. Just drove a half volley straight into cover hands. I was looking to build on my innings and get a bigger score”.
Just before this India tour of the England test series began KL Rahul was not a regular player to represent India in Test format. Despite being very well established in both the limited-overs format. But just when the opportunity presented itself, he made a good count of it. He also said the key to be a success in a five-day game is being disciplined and patient.
“Challengers are there in every format and we as players know that what are the challenges and what we need to do to deal with them. But sometimes you perform, sometimes not because when you go in the middle the pressure is slightly different. The situation of the game is slightly different”, Kl Rahul said.
“Yes, one-day cricket is different because after 2 or 3 overs the ball stop swinging, even in the green top it will swing for 5-10 overs but it’s completely different in Test cricket. It’s all about being disciplined and waiting for the loose balls and just trying to be as patient as you can and keep discipline in short selection”.
Rahul said it is a very good feeling to score a century in Lord’s and see your name on the honors board of the iconic ground.
“Every time you walk out to play for your country you want to score, give the team a good start. It was special once I stepped out of the ground and once you see your name in the honors board you feel a sense of achievement and sense of pride and I am no different”.
“Every Test hundred is very special for me and if it’s at Lord’s it becomes a little sweeter”.
“It’s too early to predict. We are taking as it comes. we want to go out there and get a couple of wickets in the first hour and put pressure on English batsmen”.
“There’s not a lot happening on the pitch. We need to be disciplined with our line and length and just keep working on our plans. We have plans for every batsman so just stick to those plans”, Rahul said.