ENG vs IND | ‘I think this series will rank right at the top’, KL Rahul on India’s performance

‌A never-say-die Indian side came up with a stunning display to beat all odds and the England side by six runs on the final day of the final Test in London to level the five-match series 2-2. Needing four wickets and with England only 35 runs away, the Mohammed Siraj-led Indian pace attack put on an unbelievable performance to stun the home side in the morning session of the final day at The Oval.

Siraj triggered wild celebrations after castling Gus Atkinson with a pinpoint yorker, with KL Rahul acknowledging it as one of the best performances by the Indian side away from home. The veteran batter was proud that the young side made a stunning comeback after their narrow loss at Lord’s to level the series and felt this was the start of many more achievements to follow.

"For us, as a team that wasn't given a chance in this series, for us to fight back and to fight in every game and to get a result which is 2-2 might seem like a draw, but for us and for Indian Test cricket going in the future, I think this will rank right at the top," Rahul told immediately after the match.

"(The) feeling is hard to describe. Been here, toiled for 25 days. It took every inch out of us. Everything that we had, physically, mentally, emotionally, this Test series has taken everything away from all of us. For a young team to come here and show the world that we can compete, we can win games outside of India. Yeah, it's truly a testament to what this team is and what Indian cricket means."

After completing a hectic Indian Premier League schedule, Rahul arrived in London a week earlier than the team, taking part in India A’s second warm-up game against England Lions, in his bid to prepare for the marquee series. And with India playing the first series after the exit of star batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, along with veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, the onus was on Rahul to perform with the bat and guide an inexperienced batting lineup. He excelled in both, finishing as the highest run-getting opener and third overall, with two hundreds and two fifties in his tally of 532 runs from five games at an average of 53.20.

"Yes, it hit me when I joined the team and looked around and didn't have a Rohit, a Virat, an Ashwin. That's when I thought, 'okay, I've stepped into a different role now and it's time for me to help the younger guys, use all the experience I've had of playing Test cricket and international cricket over the years and really put my hand up and stand up for this team.'

"The most important thing is for the openers to give the team a solid start and then continue and get as many runs as I can. That was my goal. I was really focused and really wanted the series to go well for me. And I wanted to do the job for the team and put my hands up and take that responsibility."