It wasn’t too long ago that KL Rahul didn’t even know his position in the batting order. In Perth during the Australia series, he opened with Yashasvi Jaiswal and played a match-winning hand, only to find himself demoted when captain Rohit Sharma chose to go up the order. By the fifth Test in Sydney, he was back to opening the innings, with Rohit deciding to opt out due to woeful form. That has been Rahul’s story throughout his career, but in Rohit’s absence, things seem to have finally taken a turn for the better. Ahead of the England series, the classy right-hander knew that he would get a prolonged run as opener. The results have started showing. After an extremely accomplished 42 in the first innings, which didn’t get much traction due to the three-century treat from Gill, Pant and Jaiswal, the 33-year-old Rahul followed up with his ninth Test century in the second innings to put India in a commanding position. After the third day’s play on Sunday, England middle-order batter Ollie Pope had said that for the hosts, the most important batter was Rahul. His effort on Monday morning against a relentless England pace attack, in conditions which had a bit of help at that stage, showed why Pope was so wary of the right-hander.
Barring one blemish, when he was dropped on 59, Rahul’s technique was absolutely exemplary. He left wonderfully outside the off-stump, defended with a dour bat, and when there was a hint of a loose delivery, creamed the ball through the cover region. But that’s just one part of the story. When Rishabh Pant at the other end was looking edgy, it was Rahul who went up to him and calmed him down. The words of advice worked wonders for the left-hander as he survived the tough period and built on in the second session. Former England captain Michael Vaughan, in a pre-match show, explained how Rahul’s calmness makes a world of a difference. “He looks so much in control. Even on Sunday night when the conditions were difficult, there was hardly a moment when it seemed that Rahul would get out,” Vaughan said. It is this sense of assurance in Rahul’s game that makes one wonder how the batter has a Test average of only 33.57. It probably had a lot to do with a couple of serious injuries that he had early on. And for a while, he seemed confused, caught up between formats. Now he seems to have come into his own. The Headingley high has come right after a match-winning hand at No. 6 in the Champions Trophy final, followed by a very successful IPL stint for Delhi Capitals.
