Getting dropped from Test cricket was disappointing, it did hurt but I had nobody to blame: KL Rahul

Watching KL Rahul in full flow is a treat for the eyes. The Home of Cricket, Lord’s Cricket Ground, on Day 1 stood witness to this fascinating exhibition of stroke play. Right from the start of the innings, he showed great composure, playing a second fiddle to Rohit Sharma. After the unfortunate dismissal of Rohit, who looked well on course to get a big hundred, Rahul shifted gears and put on an imperious display of stroke-making. In the process, the Karnataka batsman notched up his 6th international Test century. 

Facing the lethal English pacers at home could be a daunting task for any opener, and even more so if you are playing a Test after two years. Rahul, on the other hand, was up for the challenge. If his valiant half-century in the first Test was merely a preview of things to come, the cricketing world witnessed his coming of age in the second Test at Lord's.

It is difficult for any player, who has been on the sidelines in Test cricket, despite putting on batting spectacles in the limited-overs format on numerous occasions. He had no one to blame but himself. The opener took it in stride and pushed himself even harder to come back stronger. Rahul, deep within himself, knew that he had to tussle hard to surmount the challenging times.

In a video posted on BCCI.TV, KL Rahul reflected on how the difficult phase taught him a lot and motivated him to go the extra mile. 

“Test cricket is close to my heart. Getting dropped from Test cricket was disappointing, it did hurt but had nobody to blame. I just waited for my opportunity, the way it came it to me, I think it was meant to be. I just enjoyed my batting, getting a 100 at Lord’s makes it more special, ” KL Rahul was quoted as saying to Rohit Sharma in a video posted on BCCI.TV. 

Scoring a century and getting one’s name engraved on the iconic Lord’s Honours Board is a dream for any player. The feeling of fulfilling that special achievement is indefinable.

The 29-year-old admitted that getting the century was a special feeling, and not just because it happened at Lord's. The feeling of doing well for the team in Test cricket, on the other hand, is what makes it so special for him, as he has grown up wanting to be a Test cricketer.

“It is very special. Not because it was a hundred at Lord’s. That adds to the joy and excitement, I have been away from Test cricket for a couple of years now. I have grown up wanting to be a Test cricketer and playing the longest format. In the generation where I grew in, my father loves Test cricket and my coaches always wanted me to do well in the format, ” he added. 

When asked about the changes he's made in the last two years to augment his skills in Test cricket, Rahul said: “Before I got dropped, I played in different conditions and there were a lot of takeaways. I felt my mind was very cluttered, I had two shots for every ball, I was always thinking runs, runs and runs. This time I am just looking to play the ball and not go searching for runs. It is a conscious effort for me, the process remains the same. I am glad it has helped me. I do not carry the baggage, but you need that hurt because that will push you the extra mile.”