KL Rahul on sledding| england bharat test series| ‘We are one, we are one of the few’ After Lords test against England KL Rahul talks about unity in team against sledding

London: India’s opener Lokesh Rahul said that if an opponent tries to sledge against one of our cricketers, then the remaining 10 players also take a similar stand against the opposition team and in the second test against England. This happened in which the hosts had to face a 151 run defeat.

During the fifth day’s play, the turmoil on the field started when Mark Wood bowled a short-pitched delivery targeting Jasprit Bumrah’s head. This time Bumrah had an argument with England captain Joe Root and Jimmy Anderson. Even the new bowler Olly Robinson was sparring on the Indian batsmen.

When the England team came out to bat in the fourth innings, the Indian players also responded to them in the same manner. England had a target of 272 runs to win but their team was bowled out for 120 runs in front of the sharp bowling of Mohammad Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Shami.

Rahul, who scored 129 in the first innings, was the man of the match. He said after the match, “It shows how passionately the team wanted to win this match. Test matches are played in the same way. We as a team are never shy about hitting back.” He said, “When someone comes to our player (for a splurge), the rest of the 10 people also get excited. We have such an atmosphere and team bonding (mutual understanding). If you are after any of our players, it means you are following the whole team.

He also made it clear that the four Indian fast bowlers were ready to answer England in their own language. He said, “The bowlers were really ready to show their spirit and take hold of the match and they gave their all in 60 overs. That’s what people come to see and it only shows how passionately the team wants to win like this.”

He lauded Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami’s record ninth-wicket partnership of 89 runs, which provided an opportunity for the bowlers to do their job within 60 overs. “The partnership between Bumrah and Shami was very good and when they fought so bravely, the bowlers were waiting to put England under pressure. We knew the innings would be declared after lunch.