'Woke Up at 5 AM And...': KL Rahul On His Love For Test Cricket
KL Rahul is keenly looking forward to the Test summer which is set to begin with the five-match Test series in England. The senior wicketkeeper-batter seems to have found his best form in recent times and emphasized how important red-ball cricket is to him.
In an interview with the former English skipper, Nasser Hussain on Sky Sports Cricket, Rahul expressed what the longest format means to him.
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The Hindu
4 hours ago
- The Hindu
Abhimanyu, Rahul fifties extend India A's lead to 184 after Khaleel's four-for in unofficial Test
KL Rahul followed up his first-innings hundred with another half-century to prepare in earnest for the upcoming Test series, while Abhimanyu Easwaran pressed his case with an 80-run knock as India A stretched their overall lead to 184 in the second unofficial Test against England Lions here on Sunday. India A ended the third day's play at 163/4 after Rahul (51 off 64 balls) and Easwaran shared 88 runs for the second wicket. Earlier, left-arm pacer Khaleel Ahmed produced a penetrating spell of seam bowling to return figures of 4/70, as India A bowled out England Lions for 327 in the second session to secure a first-innings lead of 21 runs. In reply, India A once again lost Yashasvi Jaiswal (5) early, but Rahul picked up from where he left off in the first essay. His fluent knock was studded with nine boundaries. Eyeing a maiden Test call-up, Abhimanyu looked solid en route to his second fifty of the tour, which included nine hits to the fence. Abhimanyu, however, fell short of a century as he edged an outswinger from Chris Woakes (2/31) to second slip shortly after a bad light interruption. At stumps on the penultimate day, Dhruv Jurel (6) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (1) were at the crease. England's George Hill provided the early breakthrough with the left-handed Jaiswal getting out to a tentative poke to the keeper, his second straight low score after his 17 in the first innings. Rahul and Abhimanyu then steadied the innings with a confident stand. The skipper was particularly commanding with his drives and showed good judgement in leaving balls that climbed on length. Rahul, meanwhile, looked comfortable against both pace and spin and brought up his half-century in 61 balls. However, three balls after reaching his fifty, Rahul perished. Eddie Jack got one to rear up, forcing a top-edged pull from Rahul that was pouched at mid-on. Fresh from a double century in the first match, Karun Nair looked composed as he joined Abhimanyu but was dismissed by Woakes. Earlier, England Lions resumed at 192/3 but suffered a dramatic collapse in the morning session, losing four wickets for just 10 runs. Khaleel set the tone, removing skipper James Rew (10) and Hill (0) off successive deliveries to trigger the slide. He then dismissed Woakes (5) to reduce the Lions to 266/8 by lunch. After the break, Nitish Kumar Reddy ended Farhan Ahmed's dogged 87-ball stay for 24, making it 279/9. However, the last-wicket pair of Josh Tongue and 19-year-old Eddie Jack frustrated India A with a gritty 48-run stand, which dragged the hosts past the 300-run mark. Tongue remained unbeaten on 36 (61 balls), while Jack, in just his second first-class match, impressed with his composure under pressure, striking three boundaries and defending stoutly. India A tried everything to break the final stand, including taking the second new ball in the 81st over. Khaleel was brought back in search of a five-for, but it was Anshul Kamboj (2/56) who finally ended the resistance at the stroke of tea. Tushar Deshpande (2/62) also made his mark, accounting for Max Holden (7). Jordan Cox (45) had earlier batted fluently in the morning, adding useful runs with Rew before falling just short of a fifty to become Khaleel's first victim. Brief Scores: India A: 348 and 163/4 in 33 overs (KL Rahul 51, Abhimanyu Easwaran 80) vs England Lions 327 in 89 overs (Emilio Gay 71, Tom Haines 54, Jordan Cox 45, Josh Tongue 36 not out; Khaleel Ahmed 4/70, Anshul Kamboj 2/56, Tushar Deshpande 2/62).
India Gazette
4 hours ago
- India Gazette
Chris Woakes plays down 'Attack Leader' tag ahead of India Test series
London [UK], June 8 (ANI): As England gear up for their highly anticipated five-match Test series against India, experienced pacer Chris Woakes has opened up about his role in the bowling unit and the importance of teamwork over individual tags. Woakes, known for his exceptional record on home soil, has often been referred to as the leader of England's bowling attack, especially in the absence of senior pacers. However, the 36-year-old prefers to focus on the collective strength of the bowling group rather than individual labels. 'I always find the attack leader tag a little bit strange,' Woakes said in the lead-up to the series on ESPNcricinfo. 'Because there's always units to do it as a group. It's not just one guy that takes the wickets or takes the floor hits, whatever it is. You have to share it around. You have to work well as a unit,' he said. Woakes' numbers at home speak volumes about his consistency and skill. In 34 Tests in England, he has picked up 137 wickets at an impressive average of 21.59, with five five-wicket hauls and best figures of 6/17. England will be counting on that experience and home advantage when they take on the Indian side. With conditions expected to suit seamers, Woakes' ability to swing the ball both ways and contribute lower down the order with the bat adds depth to the English lineup. England will begin the five-match series against India on June 20 at Headingley. The second Test is set for July 2 at Edgbaston, followed by the third on July 10 at Lord's. The fourth Test will take place at Old Trafford from July 23, while the final match of the series is scheduled at The Oval starting July 31. (ANI)
The Print
4 hours ago
- The Print
Salman Ali Agha in line to become all-format captain
A source in the board said that former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed and ex-pacer Sikander Bakht had been called to Lahore for a meeting. Besides the change in captaincy, the board will also be announcing the formation of an 'observatory' committee after Eid holidays, a concept meant to keep a close watch on cricket developments including in the national team and forward recommendations to the board's chairman. Karachi, Jun 8 (PTI) The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is expected to make some sweeping changes in its national team set-up with Salman Ali Agha in line to become all-format captain, replacing Shan Masood as the skipper of the Test side. 'The two were informed about the decision to form the observatory committee and offered positions on it,' the source said. 'Some other players will also be on this committee.' He said PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, after discussions with his close aides including new white ball head coach Mike Hesson, is also considering redefining the role of the national selection committee. 'Either there will be changes in the current selection committee which would continue to work with the Pakistan team management or a new selection set-up would be announced with prime focus on looking and finding talent from domestic and age group cricket,' the source said. Naqvi, the source added, wanted to see things move forward with the right people in the right positions and with the coach and captain given powers to select the teams. There is also a move to give more responsibility to Salman Ali Agha who is currently the national T20 captain and the board is contemplating replacing Shan Masood as the Test skipper when they announce the new head coach of the red ball format. Pakistan's next Test assignment, which is their first in the ICC World Test Championship new cycle, will be a two-match home series against South Africa later this year. Pakistan is slated to play just five Tests this calendar year. PTI Cor AH AH This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
