Parthiv credits innovative keeping sessions behind his sucess
Patel powered 13 dismissals with the big glove in India's 4-0 series triumph over England.
Coming out of injuries in flying colours, Indian opener KL Rahul delighted Chennai spectators, scoring remarkable 199 runs to boost India to a comprehensive score of 391/4 at stumps on the third day of the fifth Test against England.
The right-handed batsman from Karnataka became the second Indian to score a 199-run knock in Test cricket after Mohammed Azharuddin, who struck the same against Sri Lanka in 1986.
Apart from his Test-best knock on Sunday, Rahul has a lot to cherish the moment. Having scored his fourth century since January 2015, Rahul became the leading Indian opener with the most number of centuries.
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The joyous moment for Rahul came following a series of bad appearances as he managed to score just 104 runs in his five innings, at a poor average of 20.80.
The 24-year-old just became the second highest run-scorer, who opened against England. From the second position, Rahul chases the leader Sunil Gavaskar, who scored 221 runs against England at Oval in 1979.
Trailing England’s strong total of 477 runs, India started aggressively as both the openers Rahul and Parthiv Patel (71) put on 152 runs for the opening-wicket partnership.
Post Patel’s dismissal, India’s main men Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli lost their wickets cheaply for 16 and 15 runs respectively. However, Karun Nair (71*) came responsible to stabalise the Indian innings and established an unbeaten 161-run partnership with Rahul.
For England, it was leg-spinner Adil Rashid, who claimed the big fish (Rahul). A slow, loopy delivery from Rashid found the edge of Rahul’s willow and Jos Buttler made no mistake at cover point.
Pacers Stuart Broad and Ben Stokes claimed the worthy wickets of Kohli and Pujara respectively. Besides, off-spinner Moeen Ali dismissed Patel to contribute in the bowling assault.
At stumps, Nair (71*) and Murali Vijay (17*) were at the crease as India trail England by 86 runs.
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