Mohammed Azharuddin: The best thing for KL Rahul would be to forget about the dismissal

As they say, history repeats itself, KL Rahul became only the 2nd Indian batsman on Sunday to get dismissed at the score of 199. To miss the elusive double century by a solitary run does hurt but Virat Kohli and Co must have consoled him and done every possible thing to make him feel better. Exactly 30 years ago cricket fans watching a Test match between India and Sri Lanka on Doordarshan was very disappointed by the fact that a stylish newcomer fell one short of his well-deserved double century. Thirty years later that very batsman by the name of Mohammed Azharuddin felt a sense of déjà vu when he saw on TV, KL Rahul falling for 199 while attempting a wild slog of leg-spinner Adil Rashid. It was an uncharacteristic lapse in concentration from a batsman who had played so well till then.

“He wouldn’t be able to sleep on Sunday, or a few more days,” Azhar, who had seen innumerable ups and downs in his career was quoted by the Mumbai Mirror. “I was comforted by Kapil Dev and other teammates and I’m sure Virat Kohli and other senior players would have done everything possible to console Rahul, but I know how it feels.” Speaking about a batsman’s mindset when he misses on a personal milestone by a whisker Azhar said, “No amount of consolation will work. You have to deal with it on your own. In my case, I could not sleep for days. My dismissal was playing in front of my eyes.”

The stylish free flowing batsman was dismissed by Ravi Ratnayake and the batsman recalled the incident like it was yesterday. “I remember it like yesterday and I’m still gutted. The ball from Ravi Ratnayake had kept low and it would have hit the middle stump. The best thing for Rahul would be to forget about the dismissal but that is easier said than done,” Azhar said.

Azhar felt that Rahul had a brain freeze on 199 as the batsman himself admitted after falling agonisingly close to the elusive double century mark. “He tried to hit a wide ball. This is what 199 does to you. Or for that matter 99 or 299.” The only consolation for Rahul will be that not many batsmen go on to score 199 in their Test career but he will be gutted.

“Rahul is a very skillful batsman who attacks the bowling. I personally prefer attacking batsmen. It is very good to say ‘occupy the crease’ but you still have to score runs and Rahul does that in an attacking way. It is rare for an opening batsman to be so attacking. I can’t think of anyone in international cricket other than David Warner at this stage. Another day and he might go beyond 199,” Azhar said.

Azhar was also very impressed with Virat Kohli and felt India have a chance of winning the final Test in Chennai if they manage a 1st innings lead of over 100 runs. Virat is doing a good job. If India takes a lead of 100-125 runs, England will find it difficult to save the Test,” the former Indian captain concluded.