KL Rahul has admitted that his pursuit of a century just before lunch at Lord’s led to Rishabh Pant’s crucial run-out, a decision that drew sharp criticism from former India captain Anil Kumble.
The Costly Run-Out at Lord’s
On Day 3 of the Test, India had built strong momentum thanks to a resilient partnership between KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant. They thwarted England’s attempts to take wickets for nearly two hours, building a solid 141-run stand for the fourth wicket.
However, minutes before the lunch break, an adventurous decision proved costly. With Rahul nearing his second Test century at Lord’s, he pushed Rishabh Pant for a quick single off Shoaib Bashir’s bowling in the final over before lunch.
England captain Ben Stokes executed a brilliant pick-up and throw at the non-striker’s end, resulting in Pant being run out for a well-made 72. This dismissal broke a vital partnership and shifted the momentum.
Rahul’s Candid Confession
Following the day’s play, KL Rahul openly acknowledged the error. “Not ideal,” he stated, reflecting on the incident. He revealed a prior conversation with Pant where he expressed his desire to reach his hundred before lunch.
Rahul explained that with Bashir bowling the final over, he saw an opportunity to reach the milestone. Unfortunately, he hit the ball directly to a fielder while attempting a boundary, leading to the risky single.
“It was a ball that I could have hit for a boundary,” Rahul admitted. He regretted that the run-out significantly altered India’s momentum, calling it “disappointing for both of us.”
A Century, But Lingering Regret
Despite the setback, Rahul did go on to score his century early in the second session, becoming the first Asian opener since 2012 to hit multiple Test tons at the iconic Lord’s. He brought up his tenth Test century and fourth in England.
However, his joy was short-lived as he was dismissed on 100 in Bashir’s very next over. Rahul expressed disappointment that both he and Pant got out in quick succession after setting batters had established themselves.
He emphasized the importance of a set batter carrying on to achieve a big score in Test matches, something that didn’t happen in this instance, potentially costing India a stronger position.
Kumble Slams Decision-Making
Former India captain Anil Kumble was particularly critical of the decision-making that led to Pant’s run-out. Speaking on JioHotstar, Kumble noted Pant’s initial hesitation before committing to the run as Rahul was already heading down the pitch.
“This was unnecessary, for sure,” Kumble asserted. He argued that the batters could have simply seen out the remaining balls before lunch instead of taking such a high-risk gamble.
Kumble drew a comparison to Joe Root, who patiently waited overnight to complete his century. He concluded that the run-out allowed England to gain confidence heading into the second session, undoing the excellent work done by Rahul and Pant in the first.
- Rishabh Pant was run out just before lunch attempting a single for KL Rahul’s century.
- KL Rahul admitted the decision to chase the milestone was “not ideal” and cost India momentum.
- Former captain Anil Kumble criticized the “unnecessary” run-out, highlighting poor decision-making.
- Rahul scored his century after lunch but was dismissed shortly after, contributing to India’s fading advantage.
The incident highlights the fine margins in Test cricket and how individual milestones can sometimes lead to collective strategic errors.
