Hazlewood-Cummins spell the toughest I have faced: Rahul

DHARAMSALA: KL Rahul, who hit his fifth fifty in six innings against Australia in the fourth Test on Sunday, said the hostile spells bowled by Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins in the first session on Day 2 was the toughest he has ever faced in his two-year career.

“First session was the toughest session I have faced in Test cricket so far. Hazlewood and Cummins put the ball in the right areas and swung the ball, bowled with lot of pace and venom,” Rahul said.

In a testing first session, Cummins and Hazlewood helped restrict India to just 64 runs. Rahul got a life on 10, edging a 145 kph out swinger off Cummins which Matt Renshaw dropped at first slip. Rahul went on to make fifty and shared a 87-run stand with Cheteshwar Pujara (57).

There was hope the Karnataka batsman would convert it into a century but was undone by a short delivery from Cummins. “Intent was right but the execution was horrible. But having batted out there in the middle for a long time, I thought I could have taken him on as there were no fielders at the back,” Rahul said.

STILL A GOOD SERIES

Despite missing out again, Rahul averages 57 in the series. “It has not been the worst series or me. I got starts and enjoyed batting in the middle. A little disappointed I have not been able to convert the starts and get big runs for the team. Australia’s bowlers haven’t made it easy. They have challenged us,” Rahul said.

The Dharamsala wicket though is the best they have played on in this series, he said. “There’s something in it for the spinners and fast bowlers as well. The ball kept swinging the whole day. If you spend some time out there in the middle, it’s really good to bat. It has been a fantastic cricket wicket.”

MISSING VIRAT KOHLI

India skipper Virat Kohli was ruled out due to a shoulder injury, the first Test he has sat out due to a fitness issue since his 2011 debut. This was also the first time Rahul was playing a Test without Kohli in it. Asked whether India were missing Kohli, he said the others need to stand up.

“We are missing Kohli. He’s been a huge influence on everybody in the team. He always sets great examples for us and he leads from the front. His aggression and energy are obviously something that would have been really good for us.”

A little disappointed that I haven’t been able to convert the starts. It’s my responsibility to spend as much time in the middle and try and get big scores in the first innings. Horrible execution for sure. I had batted for a long time and I thought I could take him on. The intent was right. (It) Did not go my way but maybe in the second innings. Kohli always sets great examples and he leads from the front. We need to learn to put our hands up and take the pressure and the responsibility.