“It gives time to plan your innings” – KL Rahul opens up on batting in middle-order after brilliant knock on Day 2.

In the second day of the Test series at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad, India took control over England, spearheaded by the noteworthy performance of star batter KL Rahul. Facing a formidable spin-heavy opposition, Rahul’s pivotal innings of 86 runs in the first innings contributed significantly to India’s advancement, finishing the day at Stumps with a lead of 175 runs and three wickets remaining.

Following Yashasvi Jaiswal’s early dismissal at 80, Rahul assumed responsibility in Virat Kohli’s absence at number 4. Despite a fortunate escape when Ben Foakes dropped a catch on his first ball, the Mangalore-born batsman showcased unwavering composure and aggressive strokeplay throughout his innings. Reflecting on his success in a new batting position Rahul said “Enjoying batting in the middle-order. I did enjoy batting in the top-order for a long time, but here you get some time to put your feet up, watch as to how the ball is doing, what the bowlers are doing, and it gives time to plan your innings.”

Rahul, who recently impressed with a century in the Boxing Day Test in Centurion, emphasized the contrasting challenges of playing in South Africa’s conditions versus the subcontinent’s spin-oriented challenges,saying

“The 100 in SA has given me some confidence, also having played 6–7 months of cricket since my injury,The aim was to stay positive when I went out to bat. Very different to that of South Africa (on the pitch) – a bit of turn, it became slower and slower as the ball went old. Was a challenge, I had to wait for my opportunity to play shots.”