Senior opener KL Rahul received praise from the former India wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel for a calm-respected unbeaten fifty, believed to be the zenith of Rahul’s Test career. Rahul’s 53 not out off 114 balls placed India at 121/2 in 38 overs at stumps on the first day of the 1st Test against the West Indies at the Narendra Modi Stadium, with the visitors still 41 runs ahead.
Parthiv, while speaking on JioHotstar, lauded Rahul’s maturity. “KL Rahul was outstanding today, carrying on his nice form that he showed on the England tour. Before that England series, people were questioning his form; that time I thought he really took responsibility. It’s very important when a team is going through a transition that your senior players step up, and that’s exactly what KL Rahul did in England. Today, as well, he played the situation really well. The West Indies opening bowling pair was disciplined, and KL gave them the respect they deserved. He gave himself that time to settle, and once he was set, we saw him using his feet and rotating the strike.”
Parthiv added that Rahul looked more assured than ever. “Now he looks much more in command of himself, an settled individual. I also think that that hundred against Australia A added so much to his confidence because it matters when you go for a Test series after putting up all those runs for your side. KL Rahul has had an excellent year, second only to 2017, and he should break that record this year as he looks in very fine form.”
Rahul’s patient innings came after Mohammed Siraj’s incisive 4-40 dismissed West Indies for 162. Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal (36) got India off to an excellent start before B. Sai Sudharsan fell for 7 on his home debut.
“Sai Sudharsan looked a bit tentative today. He uses his feet very well, especially against left-arm spinners. With left-handed batters, we know that as soon as a left-arm spinner comes in, we try to rotate the strike and wait for the right ball to go after. But I thought Sai Sudharsan was probably feeling a bit of pressure to score big runs and secure that number three position. He just needs to stay calm,” Parthiv commented on his struggles.
The discussion also concerned the bowling legacy of Jasprit Bumrah. Parthiv spoke about his yorkers, saying, “We’ve seen Jasprit Bumrah nailing those yorkers to perfection. He has that unique ability. It’s tough to play such deliveries. How many times have we seen him bowl those yorkers since 2013? For the last 12 years, I’ve been saying that no one can deliver yorkers like Bumrah, and he keeps doing it again and again.”
Expert colleague Darren Ganga echoed those sentiments, emphasizing Rahul’s development: “KL Rahul is a classical player. The tempo that he has found as a batter allows him to be at his best, and to me, that comes with clarity about his role in this Indian team and his approach to Test match cricket.”
With Rahul unbeaten and Shubman Gill (18*) looking good at the other end, India will look dominant throughout day two and build a decisive first-innings lead.
