Adelaide, Dec 4 (FN Bureau) After India managed to buy a first-innings lead in Perth, it was the partnership between KL Rahul and Yahasvi Jaiswal that helped the visitors stretch for a big win.Stepping up as a makeshift opener in Rohit Sharma’s absence, KL Rahul made a compelling case for the spot in the first Test against Australia.His gritty 77 in the second innings in Perth was a testament to his versatility, showcasing his ability to adapt both to different batting positions and challenging match situations. Speaking ahead of the second Test in Adelaide, Rahul shared an orthodox mantra to his method while opening the batting and conceded that he resorted to the stonewaller approach against thenew ball for success. “I try to keep it really simple,” Rahul told reporters on Wednesday. “The new ball does a lot. So you need to respect the first 20-25 overs and try to soak in the pressure, try and get used to the pace or whatever the wicket is doing…If you get through that period, then, like I said, batting seems pretty normal to wherever you are in the world.””I’ve played in different conditions; and when you do well in different conditions – pace-friendly conditions or away from home, you do get a little bit of confidence and you do understand howyou need to do it, and you repeat those processes again and again,” he added.It was Rahul’s 201-run stand alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal – playing his first Test in Australia – that helped set the foundation for India’s dominant 295-run win.
Elaborating on the conversation he had with the newcomer, Rahul admitted he felt a deja vu while speaking to the southpaw.”I saw a bit of myself in him how I was 10 years ago, opening the batting for the first time, lots of doubts, lot of nerves and you keep doubting your own game and a lot that happens in your head,and so all you can do is try and slow things down, try and take a few deep breaths,” he said. “That’s what was passed on to me by my fellow opening partner. And I passed it onto him,” Rahul said. While the 32-year-old had opened the batting for India in Perth, the return of Rohit Sharma has raised a big question for India as to who should open alongside Jaiswal. When asked about his place in the lineup, Rahul offered a cheeky response.“I’ve been told, but I was also told not to share it today. So you will have to wait for day one or maybe when the captain comes here tomorrow,” he added.