KL Rahul played a splendid 86-run innings on Day 2 of the first Test against England to help India tighten screw on the visitors at the Rajiv Gandhi international stadium in Hyderabad on January 26, Friday. KL Rahul paired up with Ravindra Jadeja to steer India to a commanding position in the first Test. At the end of Day 2's play, India were solid at 421/7 with Jadeja still unscathed on 81 off 155. However, Rahul missed out on a fine chance to belt a century. But in the 65th over, Rahul miscued a shot off Tom Hartley and handed Rehan Ahmed a catch at the deep.
Meanwhile, after the match Rahul has acknowledged his preference for batting in the middle order, following a period as an opener.
The star wicketkeeper-batter attributed his recent century in the Test series in South Africa as a key factor in boosting his confidence. Rahul also discussed the modifications he needed to implement in order to mirror his success in foreign conditions back home in India.
“The 100 in SA has given me some confidence, also having played 6-7 months of cricket since my injury. The aim was to stay positive when I went out to bat. Very different to that of South Africa (on the pitch) - a bit of turn, it became slower and slower as the ball went old. Was a challenge, I had to wait for my opportunity to play shots,” Rahul said after the match.
Rahul 123-ball knock was studded with two sixes and eight fours. He was also involved in two fifty-plus partnerships each with Shreyas Iyer and Jadeja. Rahul also shared that the home team aimed to bat throughout the day, successfully extending their first-innings lead to 175 by the close of play on Day 2. He mentioned that the hosts were focused on building their innings steadily, without haste to force an immediate result.
“Enjoying batting in the middle-order. I did enjoy batting in the top-order for a long time, but here you get some time to put your feet up, watch as to how the ball is doing, what the bowlers are doing and it gives time to plan your innings. It's only the second day, we just wanted to bat the full day and get as many runs as possible (on the team plan). The chat was to bat as long as possible and everyone to bat and score as many runs as we could,” Rahul added.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK:
'I would say to Rahul Dravid...please go...': Kevin Pietersen makes massive appeal to Team India coach with regards to Shubman Gill
IND vs ENG: KL Rahul shines with another classy knock, misses century by just 14 runs
BPL franchise Fortune Barishal's owner makes huge statement on reports claiming Shoaib Malik's contract termination owing to 'fixing'
