"Mentally Prepared To Bat Again": KL Rahul On Possible Follow-On During 3rd Test

Following a game-saving half-century during the third Test against Australia in Brisbane, Indian opener KL Rahul praised tail-enders Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep for their crucial partnership, which helped prevent a follow-on. Rahul said that lower-order contributions are invaluable and avoiding the follow-on would boost the team's confidence. It was a day of determined fightback for Team India. Tasked with the challenge of avoiding a follow-on and a potential innings defeat, half-centuries from KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja, along with a 39-run stand between Bumrah and Akash Deep, helped India end day four at 252/9, giving them a fighting chance.

Speaking at the post-day press conference, Rahul said, "It is very good to see when the lower order chips in and scores runs. That is something we discuss a lot in our meetings, and the bowlers work really hard on their batting as well. So it is really good to see that they could go there, build that little partnership, and avoid the follow-on."

Rahul acknowledged the significance of their effort, particularly with rain interruptions already shortening the game.

"We need to find a way to stay in the game, and I think Akash and Bumrah did that at the end. So it's a good way to end the day for us. At that stage, I was thinking about going and padding up, perhaps expecting back-to-back innings. I wasn't sure if they would enforce the follow-on, so I was mentally preparing for my batting. But as I said, it's always nice to see the bowlers go out there and contribute runs."

"They really put in the work in the nets, and they work hard on their skills. Today, when it mattered, they played some exciting shots and showed a lot of heart. The last half-hour of their batting wasn't just