ENG vs IND: Returning To Test Cricket As Makeshift Opener, Rahul Hits Patient 84
India's injury woes have turned into a blessing in disguise for KL Rahul, who cashed in on an opportunity to play his first Test in close to two years by scoring 84, at Trent Bridge against Englan
Rahul, who was being prepared for the middle-order, was forced into opener's role after injuries to regular openers, Shubman Gill and Mayank Agarwal. Gill, who had injured his left leg has already returned home while Agarwal suffered a blow to his head and suffered concussion ahead of the first Test.
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With replacement opener Prithvi Shaw and middle-order batsman Suryakumar Yadav, also sent as reinforcement, having departed for England from Sri Lanka only a day before the start of the first Test, India had no one other choice except Rahul to thrust into opening batsman's role.
The Karnataka batsman responded in style as he buckled down to frustrate England bowlers and by lunch on third day had already faced 202 balls, scoring unbeaten 77. Post-lunch, he resumed with a boundary off James Anderson with a drive that he had done so successfully.
However, just three balls later, his luck ran dry as he nicked one to the wicketkeeper to fall as India's sixth wicket. He had faced 214 balls and hit 12 fours. Former India batsman Sanjay Manjrekar acknowledged Rahul's effort.
