Hurt Rahul used axing from Test team as ‘fuel’ to make strong comeback

KL Rahul en route his 129 v England on Thursday. Pic/Bipin Patel

Being dropped from the Test team two years ago did hurt him but India opener KL Rahul says he used that as "fuel" to make a strong comeback in the ongoing tour of England.

Rahul, 29, who made a fine 129 in India's first-innings total of 364 in the second Test against England here, said he did not carry the baggage of the past. He also does not want to throw away the opportunity to cement his place in the side.

"Getting dropped from Test was disappointing. It did hurt, but I had nobody to blame but myself. I just waited for my opportunity. The way it came to me, I think it was meant to be. I just enjoyed my batting, getting a 100 at Lord's makes it more special," he said.

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"I do not carry the baggage, but it is the fuel, you need that hurt because that has pushed me extra mile, to work harder. I have got the opportunity now and I don't want to throw it away," said Rahul in a conversation with his opening partner Rohit Sharma.

Before the England tour, Rahul last played in a Test in August 2019, against the West Indies in Kingston. While praising Rahul's knock, Rohit said: "It is something I have never seen before, that level of composure and calmness and that kind of reassurance when you are batting especially in these type of conditions."

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