In the first Test against Australia, KL Rahul opened the batting alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal and played exemplary knocks of 26 and 77 runs respectively. His performance not only steered India to a solid start but also made a compelling case for his spot at the top of the order.
However, heading into the second Test, India are likely to make two changes to their squad given the availability of skipper Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill. It still remains unclear whether KL Rahul will keep the opening role or he will be shifted to other middle-order position. When asked Rahul remained silent, refraining from revealing the combination.
"I've been told, but I've also been told not to share it. You'll have to wait until day one, or when the captain comes in tomorrow,” Rahul said on Friday while speaking to the media.
Talking about batting alongside Jaiswal, who is playing his maiden Test series against Australia, KL recalled his younger days when he played in his debut game against Australia a decade ago.
“I do not think we've batted together before this. In the first innings, we did not really get enough time. He got out really early. But we did have a few chats before in training sessions as well and I tried to share whatever little I have learned from playing here in Australia and facing up against the new ball. So those were the conversations that we had. But in the second innings, obviously, it was a really important period that second day where we had to put runs on board and we knew if we could do that, we will be ahead in the game," said Rahul.
“I saw a little bit of myself when I was here 10 years ago (in Jaiswal), opening the batting for the first time – a lot of doubts, a lot of nerves, and you keep doubting your own game," Rahul said.
“There's a lot that happens in your head, so the only thing you can do is slow things down, try and take a few deep breaths and try and focus on one thing. And that's what was passed on to me by my fellow opening partner back then (in 2018), so I just passed that on to him," he added.