The runs are flowing again, and the form appears to be coming back, but that magical triple-figure score continues to elude KL Rahul.
The Indian batsman, recovering from a troubled time on and off the field in recent months, surpassed 50 for the second innings running for India A during their ongoing unofficial Tests against England Lions, but was unable to convert it into a hundred.
Rahul, who is leading the side in the final ‘Test’ of the two-match series at Mysuru, hit a patient 81 on the opening day of the deciding game on Wednesday, 13 February.
The knock follows his 89 in the series opener at Wayanad last week, which ended in a high-scoring draw.
Rahul had struck 11 boundaries in his only innings in the first ‘Test’, taking 192 balls to compile his 89 before throwing his wicket away to slow left-arm bowler Danny Briggs.
The run-making came at an identical place at Mysuru, with the 26-year-old scoring his 81 runs off 166 balls, with 11 hits to the fence again.
But this time around, Rahul fell to the medium-pace bowling of Zak Chappell, edging one behind to wicketkeeper Ollie Pope.
Just like the first encounter, Rahul then saw his batting partner for the length of his stay at the crease go on to bring up a century.
At Wayanad, number three Priyank Panchal had stroked his way to a mammoth 206; at Mysuru, fellow opener Abhimanyu Easwaran didn’t let his chance go begging and notched up a hundred.
Rahul and Easwaran shared a 179-run first-wicket partnership in 56 overs.
Rahul is eyeing a return to the national team on the back of runs against England Lions, after having been sent to the India A setup to find form by the team management. The top-order batsman is expected to get a final crack at making India’s World Cup squad by being fielded in the upcoming ODI series against Australia.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)