KL Rahul didn’t make best of starts in his Test career but the Karnataka batsman scored a fighting hundred at the Sydney Cricket Ground and played a crucial role in lifting India close to Australia’s first innings total.
India skipper Virat Kohli praised Rahul after the Sydney Test and was happy the way youngster showed fighting spirit. Rahul also made a solid partnership with Murali Vijay in the second innings.
Rahul made his maiden hundred against the likes of Ryan Harris, Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon, but was also helped by a touch of luck, when Steve Smith dropped a sitter.
“The intent and character the side is showing is important,” Kohli said. “These guys have stepped up and shown they have the character and game at the international level, Rahul especially after the kind of debut he had. It is tough in Australia, I have experienced that before.”
Kohli also praised his team for showing resistance in the series as they come within touching distance of a win over the Australians. India lost the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2-0 by losing the Tests in Adelaide and Brisbane.
“It has been a hard fought series,” Kohli insisted. “We wanted to play hard cricket, give a fight, and that is what the boys have done. In Adelaide, and even today we thought we had a chance, but Australia kept coming back.”