According to KL Rahul, a youthful team’s 2-2 draw in England for the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy “will rank right at the top” of India’s history of Test cricket accomplishments.
“For us, as a team that wasn’t given a chance in this series, for us to fight back and to fight in every game and to get a result which is 2-2 might seem like a draw, but for us and for Indian Test cricket going in the future, I think this will rank right at the top,” Rahul told the host broadcaster right after India won the fifth Test at The Oval by six runs on the final morning.
“And this is where the change begins and the Indian Test team will go on to create many things and win many more series outside of India.”
“I’ve played cricket for a while. I have won the Champions Trophy. I’ve seen India lifting the World Cup. I mean, nothing compares with lifting the World Cup, but so many doubts, so many questions from everybody about whether Test cricket would stay or not… I think both the teams with the way we’ve played in this series, I think we’ve answered that question.”
Rahul also added that India would have liked to win the series but drawing the series is also a “satisfying” result.
“Feeling is hard to describe,” he said. “Been here, toiled for 25 days. It took every inch out of us. Everything that we had, physically, mentally, emotionally, this Test series has taken everything away from all of us. And I think, at the end of 25 days, we’re standing here 2-2, absolutely proud of ourselves.
“So satisfying to be here and draw the series. I would have loved to win this series. But for a young team to come here and for a lot of us to step up and show the world that we can compete, we can win games outside of India, yeah, it’s truly a testament to what this team is and what Indian cricket means.”
Rahul also found it weird that India’s legends like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ashwin, had retired from Test cricket in recent months but thought of as also added responsibility in this tour.
“Yes, it hit me when I joined the team,” Rahul said in the absence of the three seniors. “I was here about two weeks earlier playing for India A and it didn’t hit me back then, but once I joined the team I looked around and I didn’t have a Rohit, a Virat, an Ashwin.
“But yeah, that’s when it hit me that everyone else is looking at me, coming to me to ask about English conditions, what they need to do, how they need to prepare. That’s when it hit me that, ‘okay, I’ve stepped into a different role now and it’s time for me to help the younger guys, use all the experience I’ve had of playing Test cricket and international cricket over the years and really put my hand up and stand up for this team’.
“This moment almost feels like this is a young team that’s going to stay there for a long time.”
On a personal level, Rahul said he was “really happy” with his performance.
“When India are touring England, it’s always a challenge,” he said. “The most important thing is for the openers to give the team a solid start and then continue and get as many runs as I can. That was my goal. I was really focused and really wanted the series to go well for me. And I wanted to do the job for the team and put my hands up and take that responsibility.”
Rahul appreciated the team’s performance and said that this series was “almost victory for them”
“I think it’s been a complete team performance. There have been four or five people in every game that have stood up and delivered for the team. So that gives us more satisfaction than this whole series. And this whole series, almost a series victory, is because of how we played as a team.”
