TimesofIndia.com at Milanpur: The challenge before KL Rahul And Sai Sudharsan was not Afghanistan’s bowling attack. It was a two-month transition from T20 cricket to the demands of Test cricket. One had to rediscover patience after a strong IPL campaign, while the other had to justify the faith reposed in him by the team management. By stumps on the first day, both had cleared their respective tests. Rahul paved the way for a hard-fought century, and Sai scored a fluent 81 as India took control of the only Test.For three consecutive days in the lead-up, KL Rahul spent hours at the nets in the scorching sun. Even the day before the Test, when training was optional, only three batsmen turned up: KL Rahul was one of them. During all these sessions, one thing stood out: Rahul was trying to play closer to his body and giving up his T20 batting habits. However, unlike most of his peers, the change was not so sudden for the 34-year-old. Delhi Capitals played their last league match on 17 May, two weeks before India’s Test squad assembled in Chandigarh.But red-ball cricket comes with its challenges, especially after two months of non-stop T20 cricket.Rahul looked rusty at the start of his innings. Credit goes to Afghanistan’s new bowlers Zia-ur-Rehman Sharifi and Azmatullah Umarzai, who made the most of whatever the surface had to offer. Both bowled with discipline and asked questions of both Yashvi Jaiswal and Rahul.was put down by Jaiswal. Abdul Malik In the street, when the left-hander was on 11 runs off Omarzai’s ball. However, he failed to make the most of it before Salim Safi strangled him down the leg-side.Rahul struggled for time for most of the opening session but managed to survive. His frustration was palpable as he searched for a rhythm. The muscle memory of attacking cricket briefly took over and, in an attempt to break the shackles, he cut Ziaur Rehman off the back foot. There was a definite nick. Rehmanullah Garbaz at second slip was convinced but failed to convince captain Heshmatullah Shahidi who decided against taking DRS.Barring that gift, Rahul looked solid. Afghanistan’s bowlers looked in check and their spinners also produced some bounce. After the initial dampness wore off, Rahul looked more comfortable against spin. Just after the lunch break, he completed his half-century off 86 balls.Rahul found an able partner at the other end in Sai Sudharsan. Both added 139 runs for the second wicket.If Rahul looked rusty, Sidharson, who was preferred ahead of Devdutt Padikal, made the most of his opportunity with a brilliant 81. On the eve of the Test, Gautam Gambhir had said that Sai would get a “long rope” and that the management had every confidence in him to succeed at No.3.Sai started fast with some crisp flicks but was dropped twice on 18 and 59.Left-arm spinner Ningyalia Kharote, who got a good bounce off the pitch in the opening session, encouraged the outside edge but Garbaz reacted late behind the stumps. Later, Zia-ur-Rehman pushed Sai forward. The ball straightened, took an outside edge and a diving official flew past Zazai. It went down and to the keeper’s left. Zazai dived at full length but couldn’t get a hold of it and the ball beat the first slip fielder as well.Sai grew in confidence and completed his third Test fifty with a hat-trick of boundaries off Kharote. When they looked set for a huge score, Mohammad Saleem broke the dangerous partnership with a soft out. Sai moves away from his body, gets a thick outside edge, and this time Zazai dives low to his left to complete a fine catch.After Sai’s dismissal, Rahul took a backseat as captain. Shabman Gulwho looked in great touch with a ball, hit the ground running. The pair added 67 runs in quick time. Rahul completed his 12th Test century and departed on the very next ball he faced after conceding to a handful of spectators at Milanpur.Standing at the non-striker’s end, Gill couldn’t believe his eyes and put his right hand on his head. It wasn’t the first time he had been stunned by the other end. Just last week, at the same venue, but in different colours, he was at his wits end watching his Gujarat Titans teammate Sai Sudharsan throw away his wicket.Rahul shook his head and left disappointed. He creamed a cover drive and perhaps wanted to bat with more freedom after reaching the three-figure mark. Instead, Garbaz made a smart catch diving to his left. Zia-ur-Rehman, who poured his heart out in the morning session, celebrated happily.It wasn’t a fluent innings from either Rahul or Sai, but that was hardly the point. Both needed time in between and both got it. Rahul will be disappointed to have fallen so soon after reaching his century, having controlled the proceedings for most of his stay. Sai, meanwhile, has further strengthened his case at No. 3. The management promised him a long rope and with another assurance, he ensured that it remained firmly in his hands.
