Indian opening batsman KL Rahul scored his fifth Test century on the last day of the fifth Test at The Oval and concluded the series of unimpressive shows on the ongoing tour of England on Tuesday.
Starting from overnight score of 58/3, Rahul and his partner Ajinkya Rahane (37) looked to play for time. Thanks to the heavy roller, the wicket wasn’t doing too much again as in the first four morning sessions.
Despite a few plays and misses, the duo was able to see off the first hour of play without any trouble, adding 39 runs. Rahul reached 50 off 57 balls.
Growing in confidence, they started playing a few more shots, especially against Moeen Ali (1-47). Rahul survived a hairy moment in the 32nd over, when an lbw shout via DRS review was turned down.
They took India past 150 in the 41st over with their 100-partnership coming off 179 balls, thus raising vision of a fighting draw in overcast and gloomy conditions.
Rahul reached his hundred off 118 balls and put on 46 runs off 50 balls with Pant, as they staved off England despite their double blows.
The stand out shots from Rahul were a slapped six over extra cover and a boundary through mid-on off Stokes’ bowling.
The celebrations were predictably muted as he only kissed the crest of his helmet and acknowledged the ovation from the Indian dressing room.
Here’s the video:
With this classy ton, KL Rahul has now scored his first 5⃣ Test centuries in five different countries! 👌🏻#KyaHogaIssBaar #ENGvIND LIVE on SONY SIX and SONY TEN 3. #SPNSports pic.twitter.com/hNcPL3ldds
— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) September 11, 2018