Former India spinner Anil Kumble said KL Rahul played a pretty mature innings against England in the second day of the 3rd Test at Lord’s on Friday. Rahul, who scored a century in the first Test, brought a gritty 50 on a pitch where batting was difficult.
“It was fantastic, a typical KL Rahul innings where he had to grind it out. It was a fiery spell from Jofra Archer — especially that first spell where he clocked over 150 kmph, with steep bounce and a bit of swing early on,” Kumble said on JioHotstar.
“KL countered all of that brilliantly. He was clinical in his approach and looked in control. It was a very disciplined and mature knock, and I’m sure he’ll be satisfied with how he played,” he added.
India lost Yashasvi Jaiswal (13), Karun Nair (40) and skipper Shubman Gill (16) on day 2 to be 145/3 and trailing the hosts by 242 runs in the first innings.
“I don’t think you can go out there and dictate terms to the bowlers on this pitch. You have to be watchful, it’s very much a new-ball wicket. KL was excellent in nullifying that early threat and played very straight,” former england player Jonathan Trott said.
“Just like Shubman Gill did in the second Test, using a straight bat, being patient when the ball’s on the stumps, and capitalising on the bad balls,” Trott added.
Earlier, Jasprit Bumrah’s five-wicket haul and Joe Root’s sublime century set up an absorbing contest on day two of the third Test against England.
Story continues below this ad
At stumps, India trailed by 242 runs with Rahul and Rishabh Pant (19 batting) at the crease. Bumrah (5/74) dismantled England’s middle and lower order to claim his second successive five-wicket haul and 15th overall, as the hosts were bowled out for 387 after resuming the day on 251/4.
Root anchored the innings with a composed 104 off 199 balls — his 37th Test century — while No 9 Brydon Carse (56) and keeper-batter Jamie Smith (51) staged a crucial lower-order fightback as the last three England partnership was worth 84 runs.
(With agency inputs)
