Gargi Raut in Leeds
KL Rahul, India’s senior opener, missed out on a well-deserved half-century in the first innings, but not this time around. He has done his job to the T in challenging English conditions. With Yashasvi Jaiswal returning to the pavilion early at the start of India’s second innings, and Sai Sudharsan losing his wicket close to the end of the third day’s play, Rahul had his job cut out for him.
When Shubman Gill chopped a brilliant delivery from Brydon Carse back on to his stumps this morning, the pressure only grew. With the Dukes ball only 22 overs old, grey clouds engulfing the sky, and a decent English bowling attack, Rahul had to take on the responsibility of setting up a foundation for the rest of the Indian batting line-up — just as he did in the first innings, though conditions were quite different then.
The Rahul we see today is an evolved version — calm, composed, and self-assured. His temperament is reflected in his batting. Is it the security of knowing that he only has to bat as an opener, and won’t have to go up and down the order through the series? Is it his experience in English conditions that gives him an edge over the other fairly inexperienced batters? Is it just a change in his mindset? Or is it simply the result of his meticulously systemised practice sessions? Whatever the answer might be, India will enjoy this new-found version of Rahul — one that is ready to take on everything the English bowlers might serve him.
Phenomenal strokeplay, a solid defence, and some confident leaves brought up Rahul’s 18th half-century in Test cricket. Consistency is the name of the game, and Rahul seems to have nailed it.