Rahul says he is relieved now after 'nightmare debut'

Sydney, Jan 8: Criticised for failing in his debut Test in Melbourne, young Indian batsman Lokesh Rahul was relieved to score his maiden century in his second game to help India stay afloat on the third day of the fourth and final cricket Test against Australia, here today.

Day 3 Report

The 22-year-old Karnataka batsman could only muster 3 and 1 in the first and second innings respectively in the Boxing Day Test but struck a well-deserved ton at the SCG, while opening the innings.

"It feels good. It was not the debut that I had expected in Melbourne. I came out thinking this is my first game and I am very pleased with the way I batted today," said Rahul in the end of day's play press conference. (Twitter reactions to Rahul's ton)

"Batting up in the order gave me little more time. And it was a conscious effort to spend some time in the middle and get those early nerves off. The wicket was pretty slow and the Australian bowlers made it harder by giving nothing away. (Kohli sets world record)

"I just kept telling myself to bat through the first session so that I can come out in second session and score more runs," he added.

Rahul had batted at number six and three respectively in the two innings in the third Test and had come a cropper, falling to top-edges on both occasions. But the first innings hundred at SCG, especially after dropping a simple catch on the opening day, came as a confidence booster.

'It was a nightmare debut'

"I am more relieved than being proud of myself. It was a nightmare debut and it didn't make my life easier coming to this second Test. I dropped a sitter. I kept telling myself the only way from here is up and I had to calm myself down.

Definitely batting up the order gave me a little more time to myself," he said. "I just kept playing one ball at a time - that was my focus. It was important for me as an opener to play one ball at a time and enjoy the challenge.

After I played last evening it was challenging to get through the last 25 overs and once I did that I felt like it was just a matter of focusing and keep my calm and play as long as I can," he added.

PTI