India’s young opening batsman KL Rahul batted brilliantly in the first innings of the ongoing fifth Test between India and England. Rahul, who was making a comeback after his injury, showed very good technique and batted with a lot of patience. He negotiated the new ball very well and played with an attacking mindset against England’s spinners.
But, agonisingly, KL Rahul fell short of his double-hundred by just 1 run. Rahul played a lose shot off Adil Rashid’s bowling and missed his double-hundred by just one run. With this, KL Rahul became the ninth batsman in Test cricket history to get dismissed on 199, joining Mudassar Nazar, Mohammad Azharuddin, Matthew Elliott, Sanath Jayasuriya, Steve Waugh, Younis Khan, Ian Bell and Steven Smith.
This is what KL Rahul said after his innings:
“I’ll always have to live with this. I played a horrible shot and got out on 199. I haven’t seen the videos,” KL Rahul told the official broadcasters of the series.
“Just been standing under the shower. It will take some time to sink in. I thought I would get a double hundred in ease. Just have to come back stronger,” KL Rahul added.
KL Rahul also spoke about the changes he made his in technique and how India’s batting coach Sanjay Bangar helped him overcome some of technical flaws.
“I did discuss with my batting coach [on improvements]. Knowing where my off stump is. I hadn’t played enough games, so didn’t know where my off stump was. Went back and worked on my basics and Sanjay Bangar said if I stayed inside the crease, I would judge the line better,” KL Rahul said.
