India tighten grip over Sri Lanka in Youth Test
RAHUL’S FORM IN TESTS
HAMBANTOTA: India U-19 team inched towards a clean sweep after dismissing Sri Lanka for 316 in their first innings and then reducing them to 47/3 at stumps after enforcing the follow-on on the penultimate day of the second ‘Youth Test’.
Brief scores: India U-19 1st innings: 613/8d. Sri Lanka U-19 316 all out in 114.3 overs (P Sooriyabandara 115; M Jangra 4/76) & 47/3 (F/O) in 18 overs. next was short, and Rahul got enough bat but found the extracover fielder. The next one carried real danger. It was a slow, pitched up delivery, the kind visiting batsmen obligingly nick in these parts where the ball moves.
Rahul, though fresh to the crease, played late and with minimum adjustment crashed it past cover, leaving the 24-year-old pacer nodding at how the batsman had read him comfortably and played positively. The 26-year-old’s fluid batting was again on display. Feet movement, timing and authority was all evident in a two-hour knock.
Although he batted at No 6 and conditions had eased off a bit, Rahul’s qualities and form will make it tough for the team management not to pick him, after controversially dropping him for the final ODI against England.
Regardless of the slow pitches a hot English summer promises, India’s top-order will be braced for James Anderson and Stuart Broad testing them with the Dukes ball. Lesser Essex bowlers shook them on Day 1.
At the moment, Rahul looks technically the most complete batsman in the side. At home as opener, Rahul is not that comfortable in the middle-order. He batted at No 3, scoring a century in the first T20 against England, but came in to face the final delivery of the first over.
India’s batting uncertainties could open the door for Rahul, and earlier the better as it will be crucial to take the upper hand in the