India opener KL Rahul has shown batting improvement on a comeback to the Test side after two years. Rahul, who last featured in the Test team against West Indies in 2019 before the ongoing series, was asked to open the innings at Trent Bridge after Mayank Agarwal suffered a head injury.
The 29-year-old scored 84 runs in the first innings, followed by 26 runs in the second innings of the first Test against England. He then smashed a hundred at Lord's in the second Test and became only the third Indian opener to score a century at this iconic venue.
Rahul opened up about the knock and the feeling after being discarded from the side in an interaction with his opening partner Rohit Sharma for Bcci.tv. "It is very special. Not because it was a 100 at Lord's. That adds to the joy and excitement, I have been away from Test cricket for a couple of years now. I have grown up wanting to be a Test cricketer and playing the longest format. The generation where I grew in, my father loves Test cricket and my coaches always wanted me to do well in the format," he said.
"Test cricket is very close to my heart. Getting dropped from Test cricket was disappointing, it did hurt but I had nobody to blame. I just waited for my opportunity, the way it came to me, I think it was meant to be. I just enjoyed my batting, getting a 100 at Lord's makes it more special," he added.
Rahul has been a regular face in the limited-overs side even though he was not preferred for the Test team. He talked about the change in his process while batting in red-ball cricket.
"Before I got dropped, I played in different conditions and there were a lot of takeaways. I felt my mind was very cluttered, I had two shots for every ball, I was always thinking runs, runs, and runs.
"This time I am just looking to play the ball and not go searching for runs. It is a conscious effort for me, the processes remain the same. I am glad it has helped me. I do not carry the baggage, but you need that hurt because that will push you the extra mile," he said.
Rohit lauded Rahul for being at his best in the tough English conditions. He said, "It is something I have never seen before, that level of composure and that level of calmness and that kind of reassurance when you are batting especially in these type of conditions. You have certainly brought something in your game."
(With ANI inputs)
