Tue Dec 17 11:50:08 UTC 2024: ## Rahul’s Resilience Steals the Show in Brisbane Test

**Brisbane, Australia:** KL Rahul silenced his critics with a magnificent 84-run knock in the first innings of the Brisbane Test against Australia, a performance lauded by former players and fans alike. Facing intense scrutiny before the series, even questioning his selection over Dhruv Jurel, and initially named only as a backup opener, Rahul’s contributions have been pivotal for India.

Rahul’s innings came at a crucial juncture, with India struggling significantly. He was the only batsman to offer substantial resistance, while other Indian batters, including captain Rohit Sharma (10 runs), failed to reach double figures. His resilience, punctuated by a dropped catch early in his innings, eventually resulted in a hard-fought 84 runs from 138 balls, including eight boundaries. He was ultimately dismissed by a stunning catch from Steve Smith.

Rahul’s performance has been consistent throughout the series, accumulating 200 runs so far – the first Indian to reach this milestone. This includes scores of 26, 77, 37, 7, and his match-defining 84 in Brisbane. His impressive overseas record, with a majority of his 3212 Test runs scored outside India (2063 runs out of 3212), has further highlighted his value to the team. Former cricketer Irfan Pathan tweeted, “If you need runs overseas please call @klrahul,” underscoring Rahul’s expertise in challenging conditions.

Experts like Cheteshwar Pujara and Sanjay Bangar praised Rahul’s approach. Pujara emphasized Rahul’s demonstration that the Brisbane pitch wasn’t inherently difficult, highlighting the importance of navigating the new ball. Bangar highlighted Rahul’s game plan, suggesting his ability to leave balls outside off-stump and force the bowlers to adapt was exemplary and should be studied by his teammates. Bangar called Rahul the best performer with the bat for both teams in the match.

Rahul’s performance in Brisbane has not only solidified his place in the team but also underscored his importance to India’s success in overseas conditions. His gritty innings in difficult circumstances served as a powerful response to his pre-series criticism and a beacon of hope for India in a challenging series.

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