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India vs England: KL Rahul relives agonising moments after missing on maiden double hundred
He became the ninth batsman in the history of Test cricket to get dismissed on 199.
New Delhi: A crestfallen KL Rahul on Sunday admitted that he "will always have to live with" the pain of missing his maiden double hundred, even as India rode on his magnificent 199 to mount a strong reply to England's first innings total of 477 runs on Day 3 of the fifth and final Test match in Chennai.
The 24-year-old opener was in prime form to notch up the milestone, but a momentary lapse in concentration, and the pressure of 'being there' botched up the moment.
"I'll always have to live with this. I played a horrible shot and got out on 199. I haven't seen the videos," he told the official broadcasters of the series.
As a compensation, at least on personal terms, he joined a select group of players to get out on 199. And he said, he was confident of getting the double hundred.
"Just been standing under the shower. It will take some time to sink in. I thought I would get a double hundred in ease. Just have to come back stronger," he added.
He became the ninth batsman in the history of Test cricket to get dismissed on 199, joining Mudassar Nazar, Mohammad Azharuddin, Matthew Elliott, Sanath Jayasuriya, Steve Waugh, Younis Khan, Ian Bell and Steven Smith.
But Rahul was determined to work on his weakness, and promised to come back stronger.
"I did discuss with my batting coach [on improvements]. Knowing where my off stump is. I hadn't played enough games, so didn't know where my off stump was. Went back and worked on my basics and Sanjay Bangar said if I stayed inside the crease, I would judge the line better," he said.
It happened in the 103rd over, off the third ball, Rahul chased a wide leg-break from Adil Rashid and ended up offering an easy catch to Jos Buttler at cover point. The 24-year-old was one run short of his maiden double hundred.
A crestfallen Rahul stooped to his knees, hands on head even as the capacity Chepauk crowd applauded his effort.
He, however, helped India to a strong position. At Stumps on Day 3, India were only 87 runs behind England with six wickets in hand.
India have already won the series, thanks to three back-to-back victories in Visakhapatnam, Mohali and Mumbai.