With as many as three openers in KL Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan and Murali Vijay, the team management have been finding themselves in an interesting dilemma. However, Rahul has revealed that the intense competition between the three of them was only restricted to the field.
In a candid interview with bcci.tv, the 24-year old opened up on the camaraderie in the dressing room and believed that the batting lineup would benefit as they were learning from one another.
Rahul felt, “It is very good to have a healthy competition in the team. It only speaks highly of our batting lineup and the kind of effort everybody is putting in and the kind of form they are in. Unfortunately, some guys missed out today but we know we have great talent and we have done it over and over again and proved ourselves.”
He added, “Only two openers can play so we enjoy each other’s company and each other’s success. We are always learning from each other. There is never that feeling that maybe I should not give him some advice as he might take my place. There is never that feeling between us and the team overall. It’s a great place for a team to be in.”
Upon losing the toss, India’s top-order struggled to adapt to the residual moisture underneath the surface and endured an early collapse. However, Rahul blazed to a breezy fifty before suffering a lapse in concentration.
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When asked about his thought process, the classy right-hander quipped, “When I went into bat, the new ball was doing a bit. So, I decided to take the attack to them. We lost a couple of wickets as well, so my plan was to attack them and put the loose balls away and put the pressure back on the bowlers.
“It worked well for me and I got a fifty but it was unfortunate the way I got out after that. It is a good learning for me and I will only get better from here.”
However, all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin joined hands with wicket-keeper batsman Wriddhiman Saha to help the visitors claw their way back by virtue of a determined partnership for the sixth wicket.
Hailing their resolute effort, Rahul affirmed, “We could have easily been bowled out for 180-200, but the boys showed a lot of discipline. Ashwin and Saha’s partnership was really crucial. Those 100 runs will really help us in the Test. We are happy with our efforts today. Considering a damp wicket and heavy outfield, we will take 235/5 at the end of the (opening) day.“
