“Mentally ready to bat again”: KL Rahul on possible follow-on during India vs Australia third Test

After scoring a game-saving half-century during the third Test against Australia in Brisbane, Indian opener KL Rahul praised tailenders Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep for their crucial partnership that helped prevent the follow-on. Rahul said that the contribution of the lower order is invaluable and postponing the follow-on will boost the team's confidence. It was a day of determined struggle for Team India. With the challenge of avoiding follow-on and a possible innings defeat, half-centuries from KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja as well as a 39-run partnership between Bumrah and Akash Deep helped India end the fourth day at 252/9. of. They get a chance to fight.

Speaking at the press conference after the day, Rahul said, “It's great to see when the lower order is active and scoring runs. It's something we discuss a lot in our meetings, and the bowlers work on their batting. Work really hard.” Good. So it's really good to see that they can go out there, make short partnerships and avoid follow-ons.”

Rahul acknowledged the importance of his effort, especially with the game already shortened due to rain interruptions.

“We need to find a way to stay in the game, and I think Akash and Bumrah did that in the end. So it's a good way for us to end the day. At that stage, I'm looking forward to moving on and padding Was thinking about doing.” Maybe I was expecting back-to-back innings. I wasn't sure if they would enforce the follow-on, so I was mentally preparing for my batting, but like I said, it's always good to see the bowlers go out there and contribute runs.”

“They really work at the nets, and they work hard on their skills. Today, when it mattered, they played some exciting shots and showed a lot of courage. The last half hour of their batting was just not that. “Joe scored runs but his flexibility in dealing with bouncers, defending, leaving and playing some good shots on a pitch with a lot of pace and bounce was great, it will give him confidence and lift us up from the group,” he said.

Rahul also shared his disappointment over the disruptions caused by rain.

“I think I was more tired running up and down the dressing room than being in the middle. It was a challenge for both teams, stopping and starting again. It wasn't easy for us, and I Sure it will be, it wasn't easy for them too, but it is the way it is,” he concluded.

In the match, India won the toss and decided to bowl first. No wickets were taken in 13 overs on the first day, but on the second day, India took the lead, dismissing Usman Khawaja (21), Nathan McSweeney (9) and Marnus Labuschagne (12) to restrict Australia to 75/3.

However, a 241-run partnership between Steve Smith (101 off 190 balls, 10 fours) and Travis Head (152 off 160 balls, 18 fours) swung the momentum back in Australia's favour. Jasprit Bumrah (5/72) finally broke the stand, causing a small collapse, but with Alex Carey (45*) and Mitchell Starc (7*) remaining unbeaten, Australia still ended the second day at 405/7. But did it firmly.

On the third day, Australia was all out for 445 runs in 117.1 overs, thanks to Carey's 70 (88 balls, seven fours, two sixes) and Starc's 18 runs. Bumrah was India's best bowler, finishing with figures of 6/76, while Siraj took two wickets, and Nitish Kumar Reddy and Akash Deep took one wicket each.

India's first innings got off to a bad start as Yashasvi Jaiswal (4), Shubman Gill (1), Virat Kohli (3) and Rishabh Pant (9) were out cheaply. However, KL Rahul held firm and remained unbeaten on 33 runs off 64 balls on the third day.

India showed resilience on the fourth day. Rahul's 84 (139 balls, eight fours) and Ravindra Jadeja's 77 (123 balls, seven fours and one six), as well as Akash Deep (27* off 31 balls, two fours and a six) and Jasprit Bumrah (10* runs) ) contributed. 27 balls, including one six) helped India prevent the follow-on, ending the day at 252/9.

The series is tied at 1-1 with two matches remaining, the contest remains very balanced.