IND vs AUS Brisbane Test: KL Rahul turns Zen master as Test opener in Border-Gavaskar Trophy

Add as a preferred source on Google

IND vs AUS: KL Rahul, his success as a Test opener is not hit-and-trial. As the makeshift opener cements his place as someone who can face the red ball against a fast and furious attack, what stands out is his intent.

More importantly, he has not let the chatter on social media or whatever people have said about him affect him one bit. More of it pertains to the IPL and Lucknow Super Giants.

Even as the famed Indian batting order collapsed like a house of cards at the Gabba in the third Test of the BGT Series, Rahul caught the eye with a knock (84 runs) which will define him for a long period. If the selectors have to look at a regular Test opener to partner with Yashasvi Jaiswal, there is no doubt about KL.

For those who may think this is a ludicrous idea, look at how KL Rahul has performed in all three Tests. In the first Test in Perth, Rohit Sharma was not available and Shubman Gill was injured.

The opener's role was indeed make-or-break. Rahul grabbed it. Statistics never tell the full story in cricket, be it a batter or bowler. Also Read: KLR Sends X Into Frenzy With Gutsy Knock In 3rd Test, Fans Say 'Better Call Rahul'

Rahul has shown purpose and made adjustments which stand out. He has eschewed that urge to play expansive shots. In Test cricket, outside the off-stump is discussed more than anything else. Now that cricket reportage has become data-driven as well, the experts will tell you how Sachin Tendulkar scored a masterly double hundred Down Under many summers ago. Most important, he did not play the cover drive.

All that is nice to hear and read, even if it be from legend Sunny Gavaskar. When you go to open the innings in Australia against a potent pace attack, mind games begin. This is where Rahul has been a marvel. More than the shots he played, the shots he resisted are important. He failed in Perth if that be the right phrase in the Pink Ball Test.

Even as India stare at defeat in Brisbane, unless rain comes in as a saviour, Rahul has shown temperament and that teflon-coated cool. He has not gone for the cover drive, a shot that batters love to essay. Many years ago, one man who brought the Aussies down to their knees with that cover drive, his left knee kissing the deck, was a beautiful picture. Sandeep Patil was aggro personified and showed how to play it, even against Lenny Pascoe.

Sadly, the discourse now is, not to play the cover drive. Did not Sunny Gavaskar himself play the cover drive and square drive, which became even more famous as he did an advertisement for a famous brand called Palmolive? Only the old generation will remember all this unless you watch YouTube regularly.

Back to Rahul, his career has been in doldrums, in many ways. It is one thing to get an opportunity and quite another to capitalise on it. No rocket science this, KL Rahul has shown he can bat as an opener in Tests and he should take that slot. No way should Rohit Sharma try and come there in the remainder of the series.

Look at the runs from Rahul's blade in the BGT Series, it has been one of pure effort. He has not done anything extravagant but the application and willingness to face Pat Cummins, Mitch Starc and company has been defining.

Those who have batted in that old-fashioned approach or seen this kind of an innings can appreciate Rahul and how he has become the Zen master. To score 180 runs in five innings and average 45, this is a new life for KL Rahul. Just what the doctor had ordered. It is a new prescription which will work well for the good of Indian Test cricket in the future for sure.