Ton-up Rahul shows he is too good to remain stand-in

KINGSTON: Daddy hundreds give a measure of a batsman’s appetite for runs. On Sunday, KL Rahul showed he is not easily satisfied. In six Tests he has played in three

KINGSTON: Daddy hundreds give a measure of a batsman’s appetite for runs. On Sunday, KL Rahul showed he is not easily satisfied. In six Tests he has played in three countries, Rahul has scored a century in each of them — Australia and Sri Lanka being the other two. And he is yet to play at home. It shows how much Rahul has been a force to reckon since his debut despite the assurance given to Shikhar Dhawan that he will remain India’s first choice opener along with Murali Vijay. In 11 innings, Rahul’s scores read 3, 1, 110, 16, 7, 5, 108, 2, 2, 2 and 158. While it indicates Rahul’s vulnerability at the start, he has also shown the maturity to convert every fifty into a hundred so far. Mohammed Azharuddin was the last Indian to convert his first three fifties into centuries, in 1984-85.

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Last time India had played at Sabina Park, the more famous Rahul had scored a century. It was almost fitting that another Rahul scored when India needed someone to anchor their first innings. He looked unflappable against pace and bounce. And that short arm jab, so reminiscent of Rahul Dravid, to drop the ball near his feet for a quick single underlined his ability to score even when boundaries were not available. Just to give an insight to Rahul’s scoring pattern, he ran 42 singles, 16 twos and three runs twice in his innings of 158.

“I have nicknamed him batting machine. He keeps batting all the time and it’s not a surprise that he has made runs. Beforehand, when he made hundreds for us, it has been crucial knocks. He made one in Sri Lanka which is very memorable. As a matter of fact, the way he played in the IPL, it’s just an extension. He has made a lot of runs in first class cricket. He has pretty much arrived at this level,” said R Ashwin on Saturday.

While Rahul cruised on Saturday to raise his fifty in 58 balls, he was a much more cautious player in the morning session on Sunday. It might have to do with the fact he doesn’t start well but that he has made improvement showed in how well he treated deliveries on their merit. “My plan when I went out yesterday was to put the loose balls away and be positive and have a very aggressive intent. I don’t know whether it is easy or tough, but the simplest things if you do it right, it pays off all the time. That is to play to the merit of the ball, you think the ball is there to be hit, and you feel confident, then you hit the ball. I tried to keep it simple,” said Rahul after end of play on Sunday.

Not being able to play regularly can play all sorts of tricks on the mind but Rahul has been steadfast in proving himself in whatever game time he gets. It’s difficult to come out of bench and score big straightaway but Rahul thanks his ‘simple’ approach for his success. “Obviously, I have been spending a lot of time in the nets. It’s a different challenge once you go out there and when you have the pressure of the game. I tried to keep things simple. I have been in good form for the last 3-4 months. I have been moving well, and hitting the ball really well,” said Rahul after close of play on Sunday.

“Right now I’m in a good space. I’m only watching the ball and trying to judge the ball and if I think the ball is there to be hit, I’m hitting the ball. That doesn’t change. That’s the only thing that doesn’t change with T20, one-day or four-day cricket — when the ball is there to be hit, you hit the ball. That’s the only thing that runs in my mind. I’m very happy with the space I’m in and the focus levels have been great.”

Apart from the one-off Test in Bangladesh, Rahul has been lucky to feature in every overseas series since his debut in Australia. And by making a century on every tour, he has made his case stronger for a stronger chance at opening. Right now, Dhawan looks most insecure in that position even though Virat Kohli has thrown his weight behind him. But Rahul is a tighter batsman. Not only can he score freely like Dhawan but he also possesses better defence. And in the past, though in other formats, Rahul has also shown the flexibility to bat anywhere in the order. Kohli however is a stickler for specialists. And Rahul is first and foremost, a talented opener. Given his form, any other team would have given an arm and a leg to make Rahul a first choice opener. But for now he might to wait for his next chance.