‘Did anyone ask him why…: KL Rahul faces heat over Lord’s Century and Pant’s dismissal

Former India batter Robin Uthappa opened up on the ongoing debate around KL Rahul’s century at Lord’s, questioning the criticism over him reaching the milestone just before lunch. Rahul played an impressive knock which helped him earn a spot on the iconic Lord’s honours board again. Stepping into the opener’s role after Rohit Sharma’s retirement, the experienced batter has made a strong statement with two centuries already in the series.

KL Rahul has played the role of an anchor

KL Rahul has been anchoring India innings and has proven to be a game changer as he sets the foundation for the rest of the batters, relieving them of pressure. However, his decision to go for his century before lunch at the Lord’s Test has drawn a lot of criticism. A decision which led to Rishabh Pant’s dismissal

Robin Uthappa pointed a finger at KL Rahul’s decision, wondering if he put his personal goal ahead of the team’s interests

“Did anyone ask him why he deemed getting his 100 important before the lunch break? There must have been a reason. Why was that a thought? Why was that deeply considered? If someone asked him why, we would have gotten to the bottom of this whole thing about milestones,” Uthappa said on his YouTube channel.

Robin Uthappa breaks down Rahul-Pant’s mindset

India had the game in control till lunch with both KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant set, and Uthappa pointed out that both players may have made the choice to switch gears. Rahul would have seen the opportunity to get his century before the break, and set up to be aggressive after the break, with Pant likely playing the support role.
Still, Uthappa explained that, this wasn’t about individual milestones, but rather a strategy to disrupt England’s bowler, and take the game away from them, a plan based on putting more runs on the scoreboard, and nothing to do with personal milestones.

“I reckon the communication between Rahul and Pant would have been you know what, I think we need to take the attack on, we both are set. If I can get my 100 before lunch, then we can take the attack to them immediately after, and then you can hold fort (Rishabh) while I take the attack on and lets get these guys out of the game completely. That perhaps was the thought process,” he explained.

 

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