India’s Test specialists Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane are having a tough time with the bat for the last couple of years. Both of them may have played their part in the Test series win Down Under earlier this year, but they are not being able to post big scores on a consistent basis.
While Pujara averaged 20.37 in four Tests last year, he averages 27.78 from nine Tests in 2021 with last of his 18 Test centuries coming in January 2019. On the other hand, Rahane averaged 38.85 in 2020 and he is scoring runs at 19.21 this year.
In the ongoing Test series against England, Pujara has registered scores of 4, 12* and 9 in the three innings so far whereas Rahane managed just 5 and 1 in the two innings he got to play.
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Amid the failures, India opener KL Rahul has backed Pujara and Rahane to regain form soon, saying both the batsmen are world-class players and experienced enough to know what it takes to return among runs.
"Pujara and Ajinkya have done the job for India many times we were in trouble. They are world-class and experienced players so they know how to come out of a couple of innings they haven't scored runs," Rahul said at the press conference after the second day's play at Lord’s.
"You have also to realise they are playing in tough conditions. In English conditions batting is always going to be challenging, you are going to get good balls. You can't go out there and score runs in every innings, but if you get a start you make it count."
Rahul continued his brilliance in the ongoing England tour as he slammed a classy century in India’s first innings at Lord’s.
High on confidence after scores of 84 and 26 in the first Test at Trent Bridge, the right-hander scored 129 runs to take the visitors to 364.
He could add only two runs to his opening day’s tally, perishing to a soft dismissal on Day 2 off Ollie Robinson’s bowling.
"I get frustrated when I am set and then get out. Obviously this (Friday) morning was really crucial for us having put 270 on board last night to go out there and get 70-80 runs in the first session which would have set things up really nicely. So that's what I was looking to do," Rahul said.
"I was feeling good and fresh, so wanted to go out there and being set batting at 127, I could have played with a lot of freedom. Really frustrated that I missed out on a juicy half volley. Just drove a half volley straight into covers hands. I was looking to build on my innings and get a bigger score."
With Mayank Agarwal being ruled of the first Test after taking a blow on his helmet, Rahul was given an opportunity to open the innings and the right-hander lived up to the expectations of the team management.
"Challenges are there in every format and we as players know what are the challenges and what we need to do to deal with them. But sometimes you perform, sometimes not because when you go in the middle the pressure is slightly different. The situation of the game is slightly different," he said.
"Yes, one-day cricket is different because after 2 or 3 overs the ball stops swinging, even in green top it will swing for 5-10 overs but it's completely different in Test cricket. It's all about being disciplined and waiting for the loose balls and just trying to be as patient as you can and keep discipline in shot selection."
Rahul said it was a special feeling to hit a ton at the Home of Cricket.
"Every time you walk out to play for your country you want to score, give the team a good start. It was special once I stepped out of the ground and once you see your name in the honours board you feel a sense of achievement and sense of pride and I am no different.
"Every Test hundred is very very special for me and if it's at Lord's it becomes little sweeter."
(With PTI inputs)
