“I just let my bat do the talking”

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

India batsman Lokesh Rahul has revealed that by sledging him, Australia “brought the best out in me”.

After a disappointing debut during the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, Rahul bounced back in the fourth Test in Sydney by scoring his maiden Test century.

“After the first Test performance, it wasn’t easy,” he told NDTV. “The Australians were always in my face. They played hard and that brought the best out in me. It was a great learning and fantastic experience.

“I didn’t say much to them, I just let my bat do the talking.

“Maybe I was thinking too far ahead on my debut. That was a big learning for me. I got some time before the second Test so I worked on my batting. My teammates backed me a lot. They kept me calm and helped me pick myself up. The only thing on my mind was to give myself sometime in the middle.

“I got to learn a lot about how to be successful in international cricket. I am happy they welcomed me well and gave me good advice. Taught me a lot of things.

“My dream is to play for India in all three formats but for now I want to concentrate on my task at hand – the Ranji Trophy. I’ve been batting well so I am hoping to continue that form.”