KL Rahul’s brilliant hundred against England in 5th Test: The 26-year old opening batsman jumps back to form after a quickfire century.
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During the fifth day of the fifth Test of the ongoing Pataudi Trophy between England and India at The Oval, Indian opener Lokesh Rahul found himself on the right side of batting after a horror run in the first four matches.
Rahul, who remained unbeaten last evening, didn’t take much time in settling in today. In which was a 2.0 version of his batting in this Test series, Rahul eventually stood tall on the expectations bestowed upon him. Someone who has been backed by the team management from the first Test itself needed to make a point by scoring this century today.
Rahul resumed his innings on 46* in the morning. With a boundary off James Anderson in the first over itself, he became the first Indian opener to score a half-century in this series.
While his partner in Ajinkya Rahane seemed keen on leaving and blocking deliveries initially, Rahul was in an attacking modus operandi of batting, scoring fours off a pull, reverse sweep, drive. His six off-the-back-foot over covers against Stokes was perhaps the shot of the day. It was a shot which said a lot about his mood today.
His century came on the last ball of the 41st over after he hit a flat-bat four down the ground off Stokes. Having scored his previous century against England at Chennai, Rahul’s fifth Test hundred has come after a good 20 months.
So far, all his Test centuries have come in different countries, which speak about his ability to adjust well. With this innings, he has also put forward the point that he has the skill, it is just that he would be looking to back it up with more runs.
Rahul followed the century with a very muted celebration. His expressionless way of celebrating spoke a lot about him realizing that he hasn’t lived up to the people’s expectations. Rahul and India would now be looking to save the match for India.
Watch the video of his celebration:
