As India gears up for the second Test against Australia on Friday, KL Rahul remains tight-lipped about his batting position. The batter, who has been a versatile option for the team over the years, hinted at clarity within the camp but declined to reveal specifics.
“I have been told [about my position], but I have also been told not to share it. You will have to wait for day one or maybe when the captain comes tomorrow,” Rahul said during a media interaction at the Adelaide Oval on Wednesday.
Over the past decade, the Karnataka batter has donned various hats in the Indian lineup, from opening the innings to playing in the middle order.
While this has often been challenging, Rahul has grown into the role. “I just want to be in the playing XI and bat for the team,” he said. “Early on, moving across positions was a mental challenge, but now I know how to manage my innings. The first 30-40 balls matter the most; once I get through that, it feels like regular batting.”
Confidence from Perth Performance
Rahul’s composed innings of 26 and 77 in the opening Test in Perth showed his patience and experience. His partnership with debutant Yashasvi Jaiswal in the second innings—a 201-run stand—proved pivotal in India’s victory.
Acting as a mentor, Rahul drew from his own experiences to guide the young opener. “I shared what I’ve learned from playing in Australia, especially facing the new ball. I saw a bit of myself in Jaiswal—dealing with nerves and doubts on debut. My advice to him was to slow things down, take deep breaths, and focus on one thing at a time,” Rahul explained.
Facing the Pink Ball
The second Test in Adelaide will also see Rahul taking on a new challenge: the pink ball. This will be his first experience with the format, and he acknowledged the differences from traditional red-ball cricket. “It’s a bit different in terms of how well you see and pick the ball from the bowler’s hand. That’s been a challenge, but we’ve had practice sessions to prepare,” he said.
As Rahul prepares for his next outing Down Under, the mystery surrounding his position adds intrigue to an already pivotal Test. Whether opening or coming in later, the seasoned batter is focused on contributing to the team’s success in this high-stakes Border-Gavaskar series.
