He struck a fluent century to steady India from early jitters against Sri lanka in the second cricket Test here but rookie batsman lokesh Rahul has mixed feelings, saying that he should have scored more runs to take his side to even a better position.
23-year Rahul expressed his satisfaction at getting a second Test hundred on the opening day but at the same time said he was disappointed at not having scored more than the 108 runs.
“I did not get runs in the first Test (in Galle), so to come here and play like the way I did was very satisfying for me individually,” Rahul said after the day’s play.
“But honestly I felt I should have done a lot better and I am feeling a little disappointed. Generally after tea to end of the day is the time when you get more runs when you are set. But again it is a big learning for me and I will go back and work on a few things, and hopefully will not do the mistakes again,” he said.
Rahul scored his second Test hundred following his maiden century in Sydney earlier this year, and his innings helped India steady on after losing two early wickets in the morning session. later on, he helped the score past the 200-run mark, putting on 164 runs with skipper Virat Kohli (78). He was dismissed while trying a botched pull shot soon after his hundred.
“It is very disappointing that the shot you love to play the most gets you out a lot. For me it’s a good learning. When I am playing international cricket, playing different speeds and bowlers who are taller and hitting the deck harder, it’s not like first-class cricket,” he said.
Rahul said his skipper Virat Kohli told him to remain positive after India lost two early wickets in the morning.
“I played a couple matches for India A and in Bangalore before coming here, so I was hitting the ball well. So I came here with a very clear mind with a very positive attitude and get runs. We lost a couple early wickets, and then Virat came and told me to stay positive.
“And we batted really well, saw through the first session and we were still getting runs. We were still cautious and it was a very confident partnership. I am happy it worked for me today,” he said.