India vs Australia 2017, 2nd Test: Pune Loss Hit Us Hard, Says KL Rahul
Mar 7, 2017 at 4:05 PM
Before the Test series against Australia commenced at Pune, the spotlight was on flamboyant opener KL Rahul. After a classy knock of 199 against England at Chennai, Rahul’s willow hadn’t fired the way it was expected and the right-hander was often being questioned for his form. At Pune in the first Test, the team collapsed like a pack of cards even without offering a fight, but Rahul did well with a fine half-century.
Things at Bengaluru in the first innings seemed no different, as Rahul was the only Indian batsman to show some application in the middle. A knock of 90 where he batted almost the entire day ensured the hosts had something healthy to bowl at.
In the second innings, India had to wipe out a lead of 87 and for that, Rahul was the key. The local boy again responded in style with a fine half-century. Post India’s win, the opener mentioned that the loss in the first Test was the turning point for the Team.
“Absolutely, no better place for me to come and perform like I did,” said Rahul.
“Especially, when team India needed it after being down in the first Test. That loss really hit us hard. We have achieved a lot in the last couple of years. But this victory would be the best victory for the young Team India. The way we performed was a proud moment for us.”
Expressing his disappointment at missing a ton, he said:
“Told Virat, if we get 150 runs as a lead, we will win by 30 runs and that’s what exactly happened. We spoke in dressing room that day 3 is the best to bat on. We had clear intent and plan. Ajinkya and Pujara batted really well. I think the approach was brilliant in the second innings. There was a time, when they said I get past 20, I get a hundred. That was a problem. And now, I get a fifty and not a hundred. Now that’s a problem. I was very disappointed,” Rahul added.
The opener shed some light on his shoulder injury as he said:
“It gets quite sore. I can’t quite dive on the field. There are a few shots that I will have to restrict. I will play within myself. Even I do, it’s not that I can’t score, I play all the shots in the book. That is what I spoke to the management and the captain. I will have to focus more with the problem in my shoulder. I am still enjoying batting with that problem.”