KL Rahul
KL Rahul admitted that Indian Test batters have struggled against the spinners, saying he is not sure about the reason behind the decline.

KL Rahul, known for his versatility in cricket, was unable to inspire his Indian Premier League (IPL) team, Delhi Capitals, to reach the playoffs. DC ended the season in 5th place, just one position outside the knockout stages, leaving fans and players disappointed. Instead of focusing on the team’s failure, Rahul has decided to prioritise his international commitments. He has reportedly informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) of his availability for the India A tour of England and expressed his desire to play in the second unofficial Test against the England Lions.

The first Test is being played at Canterbury. Although Rahul is not a part of the ongoing contests, he is eager to compete in the second Test. He has communicated to the BCCI and the selection committee chairman, Ajit Agarkar.

“He is set to fly out on Monday to join the India A team for the second unofficial Test. Since he is also part of the senior men’s squad, which will be playing five Test matches in the series, the second game will provide him with valuable playing time and gain match experience,” a source informed the Indian Express.

The second unofficial Test between England Lions and India A is set to begin on June 6. Following this, the senior Indian team will participate in an intra-squad match in Beckenham on June 13. The first Test of the five-match series will start in Leeds on June 20.

In a recent interview with Sky Sports, Rahul also spoke about his passion for Test cricket, reaffirming his love for the longest format of the game.

“I have a deep love for red ball cricket. It’s something no one can take away from me or anyone else in the Indian team. Everyone I’ve spoken to from the team shares the same sentiment as Test cricket is our top priority. We all enjoy playing Test cricket, and that hasn’t changed for me,” Rahul explained.

“I grew up watching Test cricket. I would wake up at five in the morning to watch Test matches in Australia with my father,” he said.

V M Suriya Narayanan is a passionate cricket writer who has been following the game since 2007. With a background in Civil Engineering (B.E.), he blends analytical thinking with a deep understanding of...