KL Rahul has opened up about his past partnership with Murali Vijay after a record partnership with Yashasvi Jaiswal in Perth. KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal broke the long-standing record for the highest opening partnership for India in Test matches played in Australia. The duo added an impressive 201 runs in their second innings against Australia during the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy series-opener at Perth Stadium.
A Record-Breaking Partnership
The partnership surpassed the previous record of 191 runs, set by legends Sunil Gavaskar and Kris Srikkanth in January 1986. This remarkable achievement not only highlights the skill of both players but also marks a significant milestone in India’s cricketing history.
Rahul, reflecting on his experience, noted how he saw shades of his younger self in Jaiswal. “In some strange way, I felt I could see myself in Yashasvi. Ten years ago when I was asked to open the batting, I knew exactly what he was feeling when I looked at him and my heart was racing. And there are so many thoughts in your head and so many doubts, so many things. I sensed that,” he explained.
Learning from the Past
Rahul made his Test debut against Australia in 2015, scoring a century in Sydney. He emphasized how former teammate Murali Vijay supported him during his early days. “Murali Vijay did this for me when I was playing my second game and this was yesterday, my second knock here in Australia. So it’s just something that you do as an opening partner and you owe it to your fellow teammate,” Rahul said.
The Karnataka-based batter has been a versatile asset for India, often shifting positions in the batting order based on team needs. “The best place for me to play is in the 11. I hate sitting outside and missing games of cricket,” he stated. He acknowledged the challenges of staying motivated while not playing: “When you’re not playing, it’s hard to keep yourself motivated.”
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Rahul credited his batting coach, Abhishek Nair, for helping him stay focused during his time away from the team: “I had a bit of time; I worked hard on my batting, and I worked for hours together with Abhishek Nair through those two games against New Zealand that I didn’t play. But I think a lot of credit to Abhishek as well. He encouraged me.”
KL Rahul’s Performance in the Ongoing Test
During their record-setting partnership, Jaiswal scored a brilliant 161 runs, while Rahul contributed a solid 77 runs. Their efforts laid a strong foundation for India, who declared their second innings at 487 for 6, setting Australia a daunting target of 534 runs.
India’s bowling attack has also performed admirably, taking five wickets and putting them in a commanding position to win the match. Jasprit Bumrah led the charge with a five-wicket haul, showcasing India’s dominance throughout the Test.
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