Indian opener KL Rahul delivered an impressive knock of 84 runs during the rain-interrupted third Test at the Gabba, but his greatest challenge wasn’t just facing the Australian bowlers—it was dealing with the repeated interruptions. Across two days of play, Rahul had to endure nine rain breaks along with frequent session and drink intervals, testing both his mental and physical endurance.
In a lighthearted yet candid admission during the press conference on Tuesday, KL Rahul said, “Yeah, rain breaks were very frustrating. I think I got more tired running up and down the stairs than being in the middle.”
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He added that the constant breaks were as difficult for the Australian team as they were for India, with both sides struggling to find rhythm in such stop-start conditions. “It wasn’t easy for us. I’m sure it wasn’t easy for them (Australia) as well to keep going for a couple of overs, go back, sit in the dressing room, change again, come back. So it was a frustrating day for both teams.”
Despite the disruptions, Rahul’s resilience helped India fight back. His composed innings allowed Ravindra Jadeja to settle in against an older ball, and the all-rounder played a counter-attacking knock of 77 off 123 deliveries. Adding to India’s fight, the last-wicket partnership between Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep contributed an unbeaten 39-run stand, helping the team narrowly avoid the follow-on.
KL Rahul was interrupted by NINE rain breaks at the Gabba and his reaction to it was pretty honest 🤓#INDvsAus #KLRahul #IndianCricketTeamhttps://t.co/k1WJyf2baU
— News18 CricketNext (@cricketnext) December 17, 2024
At stumps, India trailed by 193 runs, with a draw looking as likely as an Australian win, especially with further rain looming over the final day. When questioned about adjusting between formats and the shift from red-ball Tests to the pink-ball encounter in Adelaide, Rahul was candid about his struggles. He admitted the pink ball presented unique challenges, making it difficult for him to pick up the ball early.
“I feel that Perth and Brisbane were quite similar in terms of pace and bounce. But with the pink ball, there was no visual cue for a batter. I couldn’t pick it up from the bowler’s hand, and it got to you much quicker than the red ball,” KL Rahul explained.
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He elaborated on his approach to dealing with such challenges, emphasizing the importance of adapting in real-time. “When things are hard, you try to put pressure back on the bowler—move in your crease, change your guard, or stay ahead or behind. There’s no set plan; you go by instinct. Here at the Gabba, I went back to basics: playing close to the body and leaving the ball well. That’s all you can do.”
KL Rahul’s innings highlighted not only his technical adjustments but also his ability to weather tough situations. With Day 5 set to begin at 5:15 am IST, India will hope to prolong their fight, relying on the grit of Bumrah and Akash Deep to chip away at the deficit. A draw may yet be salvaged, keeping India alive in the fiercely contested Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
