India vs England 2021: KL Rahul Reveals The Challenges Of Playing Red-Ball Cricket In Comparison To White-Ball Cricket

The Indian opener KL Rahul who scored a century at Lord’s went on to explain the different challenges while changing over from white-ball format to red-ball format. Rahul’s innings of 129 had pure class return all over it and he looked like a totally different player from the struggles he went through in the longer format in 2019.

Making a comeback after two years, Rahul scored a fine half-century in the Nottingham Test as well and he was so precise about judging where his off stumps were. He was mentally prepared to be switched on always and was very cautious at the start. After the ball started moving less, it had changed his mode of approach totally and he started to play those delightful square drives.

The Pressures Are Different Out There At The Crease, Reckons KL Rahul

KL Rahul mentioned that the challenges are going to vary in each format and revealed that the players do know about their challenges ahead. He defended the batters stating that the performances can depend on the situation of the game as well as from the pressures involved at the crease individually.

“Look, I think challenges are there in every format. Players know what are the challenges and what they need to do to be prepared. But sometimes you perform and sometimes you don’t because when you go out in the middle, the pressures are slightly different, and it depends on the situation of the game,” KL Rahul told in the press conference at the end of the day two.

Test Cricket Is All About Being Disciplined, Opines KL Rahul

KL Rahul opined that the white ball is going to stop swinging after some deliveries and that will be enough to get into the act aggressively even if the batsman wants to take time initially. He added that Test cricket is different because it involves a lot of discipline and patience and he valued the factor of shot selection which helped him to get his century.

“Yes, one-day cricket is different because after two or three overs, the ball stops swinging. Even if it is a green top, it will swing for 5-10 overs. So you can get your eye in and then you have got to make up the runs.

“So after initially controlling yourself, you need to play aggressive shots after that. It is completely different in Test cricket, (though). It is all about being disciplined, waiting for the loose balls and trying to be as patient as you can and be careful with shot selection,” he added.

KL Rahul’s inning is a huge boost to the Indian test team as it has opened up various opportunities for the playing XI.