Handed his chance in Vijay Shankar’s absence against New Zealand, KL Rahul (who was picked as a back-up opener in Virat Kohli’s World Cup squad) had walked in at number four, played the stroke of the day (square drive to the fence) and two balls later was out bowled, played on. Yesterday, the wicket that caused his entry into the middle was that of Rohit Sharma’s, who too had channelled back the ball on to his stumps. For Rahul, this of course would’ve made for an inauspicious entry.
The angel on the other shoulder, however, would’ve told him that it was he who was walking in at number four, again, this time despite Shankar’s presence in the team against Bangladesh. In the final tune-up fixture before the opening game against South Africa, this ought to have been a reassuring sign for a man who has played only one (official) ODI this year, a total of three in 2018 and all of 14 since his debut in the format in 2016.
The conditions waiting for Rahul were not too dissimilar to conditions presented to him in London—a pitch that was sweating under a cover overnight, thick clouds in the sky and rain in the air. And here too, he nearly perished before he could even get started; once again, the mode of dismissal would’ve been played on. The ball from Rubel Hossain in the 17th over was short of good length and darted into him a pinch, which Rahul tried to cut but nearly ended up chopping it on. Nearly. The edge fell inside the batting crease and somehow squirted safely over the bails.
Rahul may have hoped to find his touch away from the scrutiny and in the shadow of his batting partner, Virat Kohli; but that, too, hastily came undone. An over after the drinks break, Kohli was bowled and in walked Shankar at number five. This, now, was officially an audition, and the Cardiff pitch the stage. But the difference in their range, to use an acting term, and skill-sets was exposed in the space of the last three balls of the 22nd over.
That assuredness, in mind and hands, solved India’s No.4 problem at the eleventh hour. It also produced 108 runs of the highest quality. The over after Shankar was dismissed, the 23rd, Rahul cut medium-fast Abu Jayed, who had bowled a length ball, for four through point. Jayed decided to go fuller, so he was driven past his shuffling feet for four more. Shakib Al Hasan was brought into the attack to rein Rahul in. The first ball that he bowled had to be replaced, for Rahul had bent a knee and walloped it where it couldn’t be found, presumably the river Taff.
