Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar lauded KL Rahul’s exceptional batting technique and awareness of his off-stump during the third Border-Gavaskar Test at the Gabba, comparing his approach to Murali Vijay and Marnus Labuschagne. Rahul, who scored a hard-fought 84 off 139 balls, anchored India’s innings amidst a collapse of the top five. His resilience and composure through rain breaks and challenging conditions were the standout features of his knock.

Rahul’s innings wasn’t flawless, as he survived an early scare on Tuesday when Steve Smith dropped a straightforward catch at second slip. However, he capitalized on the reprieve, playing with determination until Smith redeemed himself with a stunning catch off Nathan Lyon to dismiss Rahul late in the first session.

Speaking on Star Sports, Gavaskar praised Rahul’s judgment outside the off-stump, a skill that reminded him of Labuschagne’s recent effort in Adelaide and Vijay’s success in Australia in the past.

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“KL Rahul left deliveries very close to the off-stump so consistently that it reminded me of Marnus Labuschagne yesterday and, before him, Murali Vijay. Except for the first ball today, where he slightly followed the delivery, his judgment outside off-stump was fantastic,” Sunil Gavaskar said.

Gavaskar further highlighted Rahul’s ability to play late and leave balls intelligently, which minimized his chances of edging deliveries to the slips. “If you play the ball further forward, you risk edging it. Rahul’s ability to play late and leave balls at the last moment was commendable. It’s a level of patience and skill that stood out in this innings.”

The art of leaving deliveries was instrumental in Murali Vijay’s success during his tours of Australia. Often considered one of India’s most underrated openers, Vijay scored 531 runs in Australia, including a century and four fifties, at an average of 44.25. Similarly, Labuschagne showcased the same discipline in the Adelaide Test, leaving deliveries with precision and surviving good-length balls by trusting the bounce.

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Although Rahul lacked substantial support from the top order, Ravindra Jadeja’s gritty 77 (123) and a defiant last-wicket partnership between Akash Deep and Jasprit Bumrah, worth 39 unbeaten runs, helped India avoid the follow-on. The efforts ensured that India carried the fight into Day 5, where the possibility of a draw remains a significant outcome.