NEW DELHI: During the second day of the Perth Test in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Sunil Gavaskar offered high praise for KL Rahul’s batting performance on Saturday. The opening partnership between Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul produced an impressive 172-run stand, positioning India advantageously in the match.
KL Rahul constructed a patient innings of 62 runs from 153 deliveries at a strike rate of 40.52. Both openers remained not out at the close of Day 02.
In his exclusive commentary for Star Sports, Gavaskar highlighted how KL Rahul’s presence helped reduce pressure on his batting partner Yashasvi Jaiswal.
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“I think what he’s done is he’s eased up the pressure on Yashasvi Jaiswal. When you have a partner at the other end who’s looking so secure, like Rahul is doing, then the other partner who’s got more strokes, who’s a little more adventurous in playing shots, and that’s what happened. So Yashasvi Jaiswal has actually flowered in his company. You can say that because he’s seen the solidity of Rahul,” Gavaskar was quoted in a release from Star Sports as saying.
Gavaskar noted the quality of India’s batting display on Saturday in Perth.
“Rahul hasn’t missed out on his scoring opportunities. When the ball’s been pitched up, he’s driven it gloriously through the covers. There is this straight drive that he played off Pat Cummins as well. Brilliant. It’s been a very, very good innings. It’s been what you would call a proper five-day Test match innings,” he added.
India demonstrated resilience after being dismissed for 150 in their first innings at Perth. The pace attack, particularly effective, dismissed Australia for 104 runs.
Stand-in captain Bumrah secured five wickets, whilst debutant Harshit Rana, who joined Nitish Kumar Reddy in receiving his first Test cap, displayed promising skill.
At stumps, India reached 172 without loss, establishing a lead of 218 runs with Yashasvi Jaiswal (90*) and KL Rahul (62*) at the crease.
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