By: Sandipan Bose
Getting out on a duck could be a double-edged sword. The bad part is that the team loses an important player from the crease. But the good part is that not many would raise finger in the dressing room.
Because the batsman, who is out on a duck, didn’t get time to settle at the crease. Therefore, he won’t be held responsible, at least, for throwing his wicket.
However, seen from another angle, it can be argued that there is lot to lose if a batsman gets out after scoring fifty. Because a well-set batman can make a lot of difference to a team.
India’s opener KL Rahul was one such case who made a fluent fifty against the West Indies on the opening day of the 3rd Test match in Gros Islet, but he couldn’t translate his good work into another Test century.
On the face of it, Rahul’s innings was a fantastic one, especially after seeing some of the known stars like Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma failing to make it count.
In hindsight, Rahul should have scored another Test century, considering his superb form with the bat. He, himself, must have felt disappointed after getting out despite being a set batsman.
Perhaps, a century in the first innings would have sealed his deal in India’s Test XI for good. From what it appears, Rahul may again get a chance to bat in this Test match.
If that happens, he would certainly look to better his first innings score and take India to a commanding position.
For the time being, India should also celebrate how Ajinkya Rahane is evolving a style of his own in Test cricket and that is to adjust to different match situations.
It’s true that Rahane didn’t get that much of success like Rahul in the first innings. But he held his nerve and played a very patient knock for India. In a way, Rahul is gradually becoming like Rahane in terms of handling things on his own terms!
