He struck a fluent century to steady India from early jitters against Sri Lanka in the second cricket Test but rookie batsman Lokesh Rahul has mixed feelings, saying that he should have scored more runs to take his side to even a better position.
He struck a fluent century to steady India from early jitters against Sri Lanka in the second cricket Test but rookie batsman Lokesh Rahul has mixed feelings, saying that he should have scored more runs to take his side to even a better position.
23-year Rahul expressed his satisfaction at getting a second Test hundred on the opening day but at the same time said he was disappointed at not having scored more than the 108 runs he did as India finished at 319/6 at stumps.
"I did not get runs in the first Test (in Galle), so to come here and play like the way I did was very satisfying for me individually," Rahul said after the day's play.
"But honestly I felt I should have done a lot better and I am feeling a little disappointed. Generally after tea to end of the day is the time when you get more runs when you are set. And I felt I should have been there and could have got more runs for my team. But again it is a big learning for me and I will go back and work on a few things, and hopefully will not do the mistakes again," he said.
Rahul scored his second Test hundred following his maiden century in Sydney earlier this year, and his innings helped India steady on after losing two early wickets in the morning session. Later on, he helped the score past the 200-run mark, putting on 164 runs with skipper Virat Kohli (78). He was dismissed while trying a botched pull shot soon after his hundred.
"It is very disappointing that the shot you love to play the most gets you out a lot. For me it's a good learning. When I am playing international cricket, playing different speeds and bowlers who are taller and hitting the deck harder, it's not like first-class cricket," said the Karnataka youngster who is playing in only his fourth Test.
"So it's something that I have to work on and discipline myself. It's my favourite shot and I will not stop playing the shot, so I will discipline myself and get to know what is the right line and length to pull," he said.
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