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KL Rahul oversaw nine rain breaks on Day 3 and 4 apart from a similar number of session and drinks halts.
KL Rahul top-scored for India in the Gabba Test with 84 (139).
Indian opener KL Rahul admitted that he got more tired running up and down the stairs after every rain break at the Gabba than batting 139 deliveries in the middle. Rahul, who top-scored for India with 84, oversaw nine rain breaks on the third and fourth days, in addition to a similar number of session and drinks halts.
He not only maintained his concentration throughout but also played out some crucial phases for India. It allowed Ravindra Jadeja to bat against a much older ball and the all-rounder contributed 77 (123) while the last wicket unbeaten 39-run partnership of Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep took India over the follow-on threshold.
“Yeah, rain breaks were very frustrating,” Rahul said in the press conference on Tuesday. “I think I got more tired running up and down the stairs than being in the middle. Yeah, but it was a challenge. It wasn’t easy for us. I’m sure it wasn’t easy for them (Australia) as well to keep going on for a
couple
of overs, go back, sit in the dressing room, change again, come back. So it was a frustrating day for both teams.”
India ended the day 193 runs behind Australia’s first innings score. But with only three sessions left for more than two innings and more rain forecasted for the day, a draw was as big a possibility as an Australian win.
‘I really struggled with picking the pink ball’ – KL Rahul
Further, Rahul was asked about the difficulties in adjustments from the red-ball Test in Perth, to a pink-ball one in Adelaide — where he could score just 37 (64) & 7 (10) — and back to the red-ball in Brisbane. He was honest in admitting his struggles against the pink ball.
“I feel that Perth and Brisbane were quite similar in terms of how much pace and runs the wickets had. So I’ve had a pretty simple plan for these two grounds. Yes, for the pink ball, I mentioned in the press conference before the pink ball test that we were finding it a little hard to pick it up from the bowler’s hand and it was getting to you much quicker than the red ball and there was no visual cue as a batter,” Rahul said.
“You try and see and pick up any cues that you can from how the bowler is holding the ball or which way the seam is pointed. With the pink ball, that wasn’t possible. So I really struggled with picking the pink ball. So yeah, when things are hard like that, you try and see how you can put the pressure back on the bowler. You know, try to move in your crease or try and change guard, try and stay ahead or behind. Whatever works in that moment, there’s no set plan for that in the moment. If you feel like you need to make some changes, you try and do it. And I did that with the pink ball. But now, once I’ve come here again, I’ve gone back to basics and try and play close to the body, leaving balls. It’s the basics, I can’t make up anything new and tell you.”
The final day of the Gabba Test will begin at 5:15 am IST.
- Location :
Brisbane, Australia
