India opener Rohit Sharma heaped rich praise on KL Rahul after his batting partner hit a hundred on the opening day of the 2nd Test between India and England at Lord’s. Rohit said Rahul did not have any confusion and executed his plans clearly in the middle in difficult conditions for batting against the moving Dukes ball in London on Thursday.
Rahul was happy to play second fiddle to Rohit Sharma during their 126-run opening stand that set a solid platform for India after Joe Root won the toss and opted to bowl. Rahul was solid in defence and left balls outside the off-stump wonderfully well.
After Rohit Sharma missed out on a well-deserved hundred by just 17 runs, Rahul took charge and dominated his partnership with Virat Kohli for the 3rd wicket. Rahul was fluent on the off-side as he drove off the front foot and punched off the back foot with precision. Rahul and Kohli added 117 runs before Ollie Robinson sent the India captain back to the hut late on Day 1.
“This is probably the best that I have seen KL Rahul bat,” Rohit Sharma said after Day 1 action in London.
“I thought he was very much in control from Ball 1. Till we finished the day today, he looked very much in control. At no point, it looked like he was confused or thinking too much, he was very clear about his plans. When you are clear with your plans, when you trust your plans, it definitely works,” he added.
“I thought today was his day and I thought he really made it count.”
Rohit posted his highest Test score in overseas conditions but the senior batter missed out on an opportunity to score his first Test hundred. Rohit came up with a flawless innings but James Anderson got the better of the well-set opener with an inswinger.
“I wouldn’t say the best (knock of mine) because as long as you’re playing, there will be a lot of opportunities. But certainly, challenging one, the most challenging that I have played. I felt very good, was very happy with the way I started off. Unfortunate dismissal but probably I couldn’t have done anything to that,” Rohit said.
