I was killing myself for missing out: KL Rahul

Indian opener KL Rahul batted superbly on the 3rd day of the 5th Test at the M Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. He saw through the tougher phases, the start, losing as many as three partners then batting along a tentative Karun Nair who could feel the pressure of delivering but right towards the end of the day when he was one short of what would have been a magnificent double century he lost his concentration and played a foul shot.

The England skipper moved the field in just to make Rahul who was one short of his maiden Test double century feel the pressure. Rashid who has had this strategy of tossing the ball up wide of the off stump, luring the batsmen into it and turning the ball away to change a dismal delivery into a dismissal delivery. He had Virat Kohli with a similar ball in Vizag.

Rahul chased the ball which was way outside his off-stump, slashed at it but all he could manage was to land it straight into Jos Buttler’s hand at cover point. He was down almost on his knees and has his hands on the head. After batting so well for almost the length of the day he definitely deserved the glory but he had nobody to blame. He took his time to gather himself and walk back to the crease while his teammates in the dressing room including skipper Virat Kohli had disappointed looks on their face.

After the day’s play he chatted with the presenter for the post match show and said: “I haven’t played a lot of matches over the last couple of months, have been injured. Being in and out isn’t easy. Got some runs in Bombay. Once I came here, this pitch was a good one and I wanted to make up. Tough couple of months for me. Few injuries. Missed out the NZ series when I was in good form. Looked good in Bombay, unfortunate to have missed out.”

“I was killing myself for missing out. This (innings) will obviously be on top of the list. Now you understand why your coach tells you that one run can be important. Got to be grateful for the 199 I’ve got. Played a horrible shot and that’s something I’ve to take with me. Have to live with this. Hope to make a double hundred the next time I get the opportunity.” Rahul said.

The feeling is yet to sink in, he isn’t able to digest the fact just yet. “I haven’t seen the videos. I’ve just been standing under the shower. Takes some time to sink in. I thought I’d easily get there. Have to come back stronger the next time. Going in and out with injuries is never easy. Knowing where my off-stump is, is something that was missing in Vizag. Went back to the basics and spoke with Sanjay Bangar.” He concluded saying.