He Has The Desire To Prove Himself Back - VVS Laxman Says KL Rahul's 84 Against England Could Be His "Breakthrough Innings" In Test Cricket
Published - 07 Aug 2021, 01:28 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:51 AM
Former India batsman VVS Laxman reckoned KL Rahul’s valiant knock of 84 runs in the first Test against England at Trent Bridge could well be his breakthrough innings, an innings which would put him in favour once again in Test cricket.
Rahul was being prepared for a middle-order role for the England series; he hit a century during the warm-up match while batting at number 5. However, following injury to Shubman Gill and a concussion to Mayank Agarwal, he was thrusted immediately to open the innings alongside Rohit Sharma in his return to the Test side after nearly two years.
Seeing a collapse on the other end, from 97/0 to 145/5, Rahul kept his cool and bailed the side out from a precarious situation. VVS Laxman felt this knock could turn the tide in Rahul’s Test career.
“This can be a breakthrough innings for KL Rahul and an innings of great importance keeping in mind his (Test) career. He has been out of favour in Test match cricket while he has been consistently doing well in white-ball cricket,” Laxman said.
“He showed the kind of discipline needed and that hunger was also there. His body language showed that he has the desire to prove himself back at the highest level in the Test match format. It is not about proving to the critics but proving to himself that he belongs here and he has earned his spot as a top-order batsman,” he added.
He deserved a hundred for the application and technique he displayed: VVS Laxman
VVS Laxman is largely impressed with Rahul’s poise and technique on his second coming in Test cricket, and thought the Karnatak batsman deserved a hundred for the way he had tackled the England pacers, helped by luck also as he was dropped a couple of times. But James Anderson finally dismissed him 16 short of a century, but not before he had taken India into a lead.
The 46-year-old commentator also felt Rahul has now improved his technique and has matured immensely – which are the kinds of characteristics a batsman needs to succeed in difficult places like England.
“He deserved a hundred for the application and technique he displayed. At the same time, when the opportunity arrived, the kind of drives he played through mid-off and cover region.
“The balance that you require as an opener in England is there in KL Rahul and he is every bit of class. He is a batsman who is in great form and great touch and I am sure he will capitalize on that,” the former batsman concluded.
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