With five half-centuries in six innings, K.L. Rahul has been the second-highest scorer for India against Australia in this series so far. However, the opener hasn’t been able to convert those starts into centuries.
After getting out to yet another poor shot after a well-made 60 on the second day of the final Test here on Sunday, Rahul admitted it was poor execution, but insisted that the overall performance through the series had been satisfactory.
“It was horrible execution, for sure. I thought I could take him on; there were no fielders in the back and the intent was right. I can always sit here and question a hundred things, but unfortunately it didn’t go my way in the middle,” Rahul said, after being dismissed by Pat Cummins. He wasn’t too worried about his own form, though.
“Honestly, I am not regretting anything. Obviously, I am a little disappointed that I haven’t been able to convert those starts.
“As an opener, it is my responsibility to spend as much time in the middle so we don’t have to bat in the second innings. But, on a personal front, I have batted really well and enjoyed it in the middle,” he added.
Despite not being among the runs, Virat Kohli’s presence itself has been quite inspiring for India, but Kohli missing the final Test, Rahul insisted, was an opportunity for the rest of the team to step up and be counted.
“We are missing Virat; he is a huge influence and leads from the front with his energy and aggression. But we need to learn to put our hands up and learn to take the pressure sometimes,” Rahul said.
Praising the pitch as the best in the series, Rahul hoped it would continue to assist both batting and bowling for the next three days as well.
“It is by far the best we have played on. There is something in it for the spinners and the fast bowlers as well with the ball swinging the whole day. But if you spend some time in the middle, it is really good to bat on. The first session was the toughest I have faced in Test cricket so far. We haven’t been challenged with swing or bounce so far in the series; so it was good facing Josh (Hazlewood) and Cummins in the first session,” he said.
