KL Rahul has emphasized the significance of India's remarkable victory at The Oval, highlighting the challenges the team overcame in the absence of key players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravichandran Ashwin. India's win by six runs against England in the fifth Test at The Oval resulted in a 2-2 series draw.
Rahul, who scored 532 runs in the series, acknowledged feeling the absence of the seasoned players. He noted that their absence became apparent when he joined the team and realized that he was now looked upon for guidance. "Once I joined the team, it hit me (Not having the senior players around). To look around and not see them (Rohit, Virat and Ashwin) felt a bit weird," Rahul stated. He recognized that he had to step into a different role, offering his experience to help the younger players.
Rahul commended Shubman Gill's leadership as captain, acknowledging his tactical acumen and ability to inspire the team. He stated, "Shubman has been phenomenal. He has really led from the front... He has been tactically really good. The changes he has made have always gotten us wickets somehow". Rahul expressed confidence in Gill's potential to lead the Indian Test team to future success.
Reflecting on the win, Rahul expressed that it "means absolutely everything". He compared the victory to winning major tournaments, emphasizing its importance for Indian Test cricket. "Win means absolutely everything. I've played cricket for years... Nothing compares to that... but for Indian Test cricket, this will rank right at the top and this is where change begins," Rahul said. He highlighted the doubts surrounding Test cricket and how the series had answered those questions. He added that the Indian Test team would achieve further success.
Mohammed Siraj's performance in the match, where he took five wickets, was crucial to India's victory. Rahul's contributions with the bat throughout the series were also significant, solidifying his role as a senior player in the team. Former India assistant coach Abhishek Nayar highlighted Rahul's dedication and hard work in preparing for the series, which contributed to his success.
The absence of key players presented an opportunity for the younger members of the team to step up and perform. The victory at The Oval demonstrated the team's resilience and ability to compete under pressure, marking a significant moment for Indian Test cricket.
