Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra showered praise on KL Rahul after the Indian opener scored a fine knock of 100 runs off 177 balls in the first innings of the third Test against England at Lord’s on Saturday.
The flamboyant batter carried his rich form and batted at the top of his game. The Indian opener was able to deliver for the team as he showed all the patience and discipline in his game.
The experienced Indian batter added 141 runs with vice-captain Rishabh Pant, who scored 74 runs before he was run out. Rahul has scored four centuries while playing in English conditions since 2018, which is the highest for any opener.
Chopra hailed Rahul for scoring his second Test century while playing at the Mecca of Cricket, Lord’s.
“Another century at Lord’s. He was the Player of the Match the last time India played and won here. He has become the first Indian opener to score two centuries at Lord’s. His name has gone twice on the honors board. The Lord’s ground is historic. Sunny bhai, Kohli and Sachin paaji’s names are not there,” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
“I don’t think even Brian Lara and AB de Villiers’ names are there either. These names are not there, but he is there now twice. Once again, criticism might come his way. It’s written in his luck that he will remain an ultra-criticized guy. Someone or other will keep finding some shortcomings, but let’s acknowledge the fact that he batted extremely well,” he added.
The renowned commentator said Rahul played a proper Test match knock and made the most of his experience.
“He played a proper Test match knock, where he didn’t go fishing. He allowed the ball to come to him, played very well on his legs, and hit balls into gaps. I think he is the best driver. He is doing that job the best in the ongoing Test series. He got out immediately after the century, a soft dismissal in the slips against Shoaib Bashir, and that was slightly disappointing,” he said in the same video.
Rahul was dismissed soon after reaching his personal milestone. It has been observed on many occasions that Rahul starts a series on a high but then veers off the track however, Chopra said it is not the case this time around against England.
“If we read his career’s trajectory, many times he starts the series strongly, but then he tapers off. That’s not the case here. He has scored four centuries in England. He has scored only one century at home. He hasn’t got a long run at home. However, away from home, he has been the most dependable opener, if you talk about the modern era,” Chopra observed.
England ended the day’s play at 2-0 after India scored 387 runs.
