The 2-2 Test series draw against England, which was achieved by a side that “wasn’t given a chance” without the presence of titans like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, “will rank right at the top” among the greatest moments in Indian cricket, according to opener KL Rahul on Monday.
India narrowly defeated England by six runs in the series-deciding fifth and final Test, thanks to the unwavering Mohammed Siraj’s outstanding bowling performance, which saw him take five wickets in the second innings. The victory guaranteed the tourists a 2-2 draw in the fiercely contested series, in which they constantly overcame adversity.
“We have seen India lift the World Cup, I mean nothing compares to lifting the World Cup. But so many doubts, so many questions from everybody about whether Test cricket will stay or not. I think both the teams and the way we’ve played in this series, I think we’ve answered that question,” Rahul said at the post-match press conference.
“For us as a team, that wasn’t given a chance in this series. And for us to fight back and to fight in every game and to get a result which is 2-2 might seem like a drop. But for us and for Indian Test cricket going in the future, I think this will rank right at the top,” he added.
He predicted that the Indian Test squad would win numerous series “outside of India and the whole team deserves it.” “For the start of the series, we had Virat Kohli retiring, Rohit Sharma retiring, we had Ashwin retiring. So three big names out of the roster in India’s team,” he pointed out.
With 532 runs in the five Test matches, Rahul—now a senior player—became one of India’s best players and established a strong combination with the younger Yashasvi Jaiswal at the top.
“Yeah, I think it hit me when I joined the team. I was here about two weeks earlier playing India A’s and it didn’t hit me back then. But once I joined the team and I looked around and I didn’t have Rohit and Virat and Ashwin who I played all my cricket with…Just to look around and not see them felt a bit weird. But yeah, that’s when it hit me that everyone else is looking at me, coming to me to ask about English conditions, what they need to do, how they need to prepare.”
Rahul claimed that he relied on his knowledge to help guide the younger group in addition to performing.
“And that’s when it hit me that, okay, I’ve stepped into a different role now and it’s time for me to help the younger guys. Use all the experience I’ve had of playing Test cricket and international cricket over the years and really put my hand up and stand up for this team. This moment almost feels like this is a young team that’s going to stay there for a long time,” Rahul added.
Rahul followed close behind and gave the club stability at the top of the order with his cool-headed and collected batting, even though new captain Shubman Gill led the scoring list with nearly 700 runs.
Rahul had nothing but praise for Gill.
“Shubman’s been phenomenal. I think he’s really led from the front. He’s worked really hard on the boys behind the scenes as well. In forming connections which a lot of people don’t see. He’s been tactically really good. The changes he’s made over the series has always got us the wickets somehow. And I think he will grow. He will grow on to be a really, really good Test captain. I can’t speak too much about his individual performance because I think he’s already shown the world what he can do in all three formats. And especially this series, the way he batted. He’s here to stay as a leader and he will take this Indian Test team to greater heights,” Rahul said.
