KL Rahul Defends Ajinkya Rahane And Cheteshwar Pujara On Poor Form In Tests, Says 'You Have To Realise They Are Playing In Tough Conditions'

KL Rahul has backed Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane amid their ongoing batting poor form in Tests. Both the players, who are regular members of India’s Test team, have struggled to perform well since the start of this year. KL Rahul defended both saying they are playing in tough conditions.

Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara have batting averages in the ’20s in Test cricket since the start of 2021. In the ongoing India vs England Test tour, Ajinkya Rahane was dismissed for just 1 run in the 2^nd Test. Earlier in the 1^st Test, he lost his wicket for 5. On the other hand, Pujara has scored 4, 12*, and 9 in the three innings against England in the ongoing tour.

Ajinkya Rahane And Cheteshwar Pujara Are World-Class And Experienced Players: KL Rahul

While speaking during the post-match conference on Day 2, KL Rahul spoke in defence of both the Indian batsmen calling them world-class and experienced players.

SHORTS

View More

Your daily dose of cricket!

Loading...

“Pujara and Ajinkya have done the job for India many times we were in trouble. They are world-class and experienced players so they know how to come out of a couple of innings they haven’t scored runs.

“You have also to realise they are playing in tough conditions. In English conditions batting is always going to be challenging, you are going to get good balls. You can’t go out there and score runs in every innings, but if you get a start you make it count,” KL Rahul said.

While speaking about his own soft dismissal during the 1^st innings of ongoing India vs England 2^nd Test encounter at Lord’s, KL Rahul had that he was frustrated to lose his wicket when he was set at the crease.

“I get frustrated when I am set and then get out. Obviously this (Friday) morning was really crucial for us having put 270 on board last night to go out there and get 70-80 runs in the first session which would have set things up really nicely. So that’s what I was looking to do,” the right-handed batsman further said.

Earlier on Day 1, Rahul smacked a marvellous hundred at Lord’s to bag the spotlight of everyone. The Indian opener scored 127 runs on Day 1 and remained unbeaten on the crease till the stumps of the day. However, he lost his wicket on the very second delivery on Day 2.

On Ollie Robinson’s ball, he played a shot towards covers that went straight into the hands of Dom Sibley. He could add only 2 runs to his score and went to the pavilion with the knock of 129 runs.