Indian vice captain KL Rahul spoke about the Indian Test team’s culture after the 165-run win over Sri Lanka. The visitors took a 1-0 series lead after a comprehensive performance. Devdutt Padikkal was
the player of the match for his maiden Test century. The vice-captain, KL Rahul spoke to the press after the end of Day 5 and said the dressing room stays open with no senior or junior stopping anyone from seeking or sharing advice. He said that helping teammates is everyone’s job whether a senior or a player with less experience. He also recalled his own early days when his teammates had 60 or 70 Tests while he had played only 20 or 30.
“I think it’s every player’s responsibility to help another player out whether you’re older or someone who’s just 26 but played 20 Tests. It’s everybody’s responsibility to help your fellow teammates. Even when we had players who played 60-70 Test matches and I only played 20 or 30 Test matches there was no shame or egos in players to say I can’t learn something from you or to say he’s played so many Test matches so I can’t go and talk to him. So it’s always been an open dressing room and people are learning from each other," he said.
KL Rahul reflects on India’s win and praises Devdutt Padikkal
Rahul spoke about the result saying “We ticked most of the boxes and this will give us confidence going into the next game and we also have a big home series (against Australia) coming up next year. So just understanding batting against spin in spinning conditions is something that we have been working on.”
He also praised his Karnataka team mate Devdutt Padikkal’s 167. “The way he batted, the tempo that he batted with and to go on and get a big 100 in the first innings really set up the game for us. The conditions were really hot and challenging. For him to get through that, get a 100, make it big and stitch partnerships, that set up this Test for us. He is someone I have played a lot of cricket with.”
On left-arm spinner Manav Suthar, who took 10 wickets in the match, Rahul said “With the same action, from the same angle, without changing his arm speed, he’s able to bowl slower, and with the same arm speed he’s able to bowl quicker as well. He’s very consistent and hopefully he will keep getting better.”
Rahul also described the Galle surface as good regarding contests between bat and ball “The wicket played really well throughout the five days. There was something in it for the spinners, obviously, but the batters who applied themselves as well could get some runs. It was a great Test match.”
Speaking about his own game after 60-odd Tests, he said: “I carry calmness into every Test. Having played 60 odd Tests, there is a sense of balance and calmness now when I walk into a Test.” The second Test starts in Colombo on August 23.
