Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
KL Rahul welcomed some much-needed time in the middle with a magnificent unbeaten 129 in the third ODI against the West Indies, producing the kind of assured and aggressive innings India will want from him with the ODI World Cup knocking on the door. Rahul’s knock, however, went in vain as West Indies chased down India’s imposing 352-run target with 10 balls to spare, winning by five wickets.
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Rahul walked in at No. 5 after Rohit Sharma was dismissed for 92, with India having already lost Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli cheaply. Ruturaj Gaikwad was also dismissed soon after, leaving Rahul with the responsibility of steering India through the middle overs before providing the late acceleration.
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“Yeah, very happy. Firstly, I wanted some time in the middle. I think the last time I really got some time in the middle batting in ODI cricket was in early January, and since then I haven’t really got a lot of time,” Rahul told the broadcasters after the match.
“I got a quick knock against Afghanistan, but I was searching for some time in the middle. It’s a big year, with the ODI World Cup around the corner, so it’s important for me to get that game time,” Rahul said.
RAHUL FINDS HIS RHYTHM
Since his unbeaten 112 against New Zealand earlier this year in Rajkot, Rahul had faced only 37 balls in ODIs across seven matches, without getting a chance to bat in the first two ODIs against the West Indies. So when he finally got a prolonged opportunity in the middle, the wicketkeeper-batter made sure to make it count.
Rahul did not rush himself. He initially focused on finding his rhythm, rotating the strike and picking the gaps before gradually taking more risks. Once he was set, however, the tempo changed dramatically. He brought up his half-century from 41 balls before shifting into another gear, with his century coming from 80 balls.
“Off the field, I’m trying a few things and I want to test that in the game. Only then will you know whether what you’re doing and the work that you’re putting in behind the scenes is working or not, or what you need to do differently. So, yeah, it was important for me to get some game time, and I’m happy about that,” Rahul added.
FROM PATIENCE TO POWER
Rahul’s acceleration was perhaps the most encouraging aspect of the innings. Having spent the early part of his knock getting himself in, he took calculated risks in the final stages. He attacked the West Indies bowlers with authority, finding boundaries regularly and using the crease well to create scoring options.
Rohit’s 92 and Gaikwad’s 57 had provided India with the foundation, but Rahul ensured they finished strongly. Unfortunately for him, the West Indies had an answer. Shai Hope produced a sensational unbeaten 162 to lead the visitors in the chase, taking them to victory with 10 balls to spare. Rahul had finally got the valuable ODI game time he had been searching for, but he would have enjoyed it more had it come in a winning cause.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
