Rahul: The pressure got to me

The century-maker spoke frankly and also assessed India’s chances in the fifth Test.

"Missing out on a double hundred obviously hurts, but I will go back home happy that I got 199 crucial runs for my team," said K. L. Rahul.

K. L. Rahul’s Sunday story was split into two parts — a mountain of runs and that missing one run. Understandably, a fair share of questions in the press conference here on Sunday centred on the emotions around being dismissed on 199. The century-maker spoke frankly and also assessed India’s chances in the fifth Test.

Excerpts.

So near yet so far

It was a good day till I got out. I was looking to play positively, everything was going my way, I was hitting the ball in the middle and the chances that I took came off, everything was looking good but just unfortunate that the pressure of getting a double hundred got to me.Missing out on a double hundred obviously hurts. I am gutted. But I will go back home happy that I got 199 crucial runs for my team.

199 and the subsequent seconds

I was just shut off. I couldn’t hear what was being said (in the dressing room). There were a lot of boys who came up to me and said something but I was just disappointed. I got my first international duck in Vizag (Visakhapatnam) and now getting out on 199, so I am going through a lot of emotions in this Test series.

Injuries and comebacks

I came back after one month and then again missed the third Test so it plays on your mind. I was thinking more about not getting injured again than to focus on batting. When I reached Mumbai I changed my approach and thought that if I get injured I get injured and it doesn’t really matter.

Guiding a State-mate

Karun and I have played our cricket together since we were 11. His family was here watching the game and both our families will be proud watching us both play together. I am very happy that Karun is still batting after getting his 50. He has looked confident, hopefully he and (Murali) Vijay can carry on.

The road ahead

Our aim was to bat five or six sessions and if we get a good lead of 100-150 runs, put the England batsmen under pressure again and hoping that the wicket will break and something might happen on the fifth day.

The pitch

It’s the best wicket we have played on so far in this series. When we get a wicket like this, we want to make full use of it. Hopefully it would start turning.