KL Rahul has developed as a match-winning Test opener for India with his free streaming batting style. Rahul completed the year with a 199 in the Chennai Test win.
He converses with India Today in an elite meeting glancing back at India's unbeaten Test streak, Virat Kohli's captaincy and what lies ahead.
Q. Fantastic complete to the year for the Indian Test group, Rahul. 4-0 against an England group that had it's minutes in the arrangement.
A. Yes. It's one arrangement we were anticipating. As a top class group, we needed to demonstrate we can win in all conditions and surfaces. We won without having won hurls. Played against the chances and returned solid. It's was exceptionally fulfilling for a youthful group to win with enormous edges. As the no.1 group, this is what is normal for us. We additionally had extraordinary individual exhibitions.
Q. What an incredible 18 months this group has had. No Test misfortune after Galle. Was the thrashing to Sri Lanka a year ago a defining moment?
A. Galle Test was the defining moment. I recall after the Test we had a long talk where we sat together and examined a considerable measure of things. We chalked out a considerable measure of things we expected to do to be effective.. We beyond any doubt we will play forcefully regardless of what the circumstance. We needed to be an extreme group that would battle until the end.
Q. The Chennai Test will be associated with Karun's 300, Jadeja's 7 wickets and KL Rahul's run he missed that could have him to 200. Is it a merciless diversion in some cases?
A. Look it's an interesting amusement. When I returned to playing Test cricket and got out for zero, individuals thought I was not a similar person. It was an extreme time for me. I must be appreciative for the runs I have. I have 199 motivations to grin. Only one flee from getting a twofold hundred. That is the way the amusement goes. You don't generally get what you need.
Q. You had a limit before the expulsion. What was it at 199, mind solidify?
A. You could state that. There are just a couple times in a batsman's life when he gets truly energetic. When you need to get off the stamp or when you are moving toward 100 or 200. I was anticipating that he should pitch on center or off stump not expecting he would bowl it so wide. Karun has set a high benchmark in the group for us with his 300, his initial hundred being a major one. It's great to have such rivalry in the group.
Q. This opposition in the group is very genuine. Karun notwithstanding his 300 is not ensured a place in the following Test.
A. We as a group wouldn't gripe of such rivalry. It's extremely sound rivalry. It will prop us up. Will make us working harder. We know we can't underestimate our positions. The sort of ability we have in the group and on the seat even those playing Ranji trophy, you will see individuals getting 1000 keeps running in a season twofold and triple hundreds. You do feel the opposition and makes you work harder. We as players, mentors, selectors don't whine about such rivalry.
Q. What's it been similar to working under captain Virat? Parcels to learn?
A. Part to gain from Virat. For him to go out with a similar goal and commitment on the field every time. He has been somebody who may have a twofold hundred and following day will accompany a similar force. That is the sort of pioneer he is. The sort of runs he has, the way he leads has been wonderful.
We have a long way to go from him. We are glad to impart changing area to such an incredible player. He has been around for such a large number of years yet at the same time has a great deal of cricket let him. One can just envision him beating and setting records that don't think can be beaten.
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