KL Rahul, the Test batsman, is completely different from KL Rahul, the T20 maestro. And it’s commendable how he, who goes bang-bang in the shortest format, has adapted his game in Test cricket, where he has to stop himself from the temptation of playing each and every delivery. Rahul in fact is “enjoying” leaving balls outside the off-stump as he scripts his success story in the longest format.

“It’s something that I’m enjoying doing a lot at the moment. That’s the key to Test cricket as you need to enjoy leaving balls outside off-stump,” Rahul, adjudged Player of the Match for his 123 in the first innings in Centurion, said on Thursday.

“Mistakes happen when you get bored of doing the same thing. But I enjoyed playing defensive shots and tiring the bowlers out this year since I resumed playing Tests again, in England,” Rahul added.

That he is aware of playing the waiting game in Test matches has helped him a lot. “I know since we play a lot of one-day and T20 cricket, smashing the ball all over the park is exciting and thrilling at the same time.

“But when you come to Test cricket, you need to learn to be disciplined and learn to play the waiting game.” He also said the century at Supersport Park ranks “right up there” because it came in challenging conditions.

Dravid role

Rahul was all prise for head coach Rahul Dravid for bringing in “a lot of calm and balance” into the dressing room. “We are all very lucky to have a guy like him, and he has brought a lot of calm and balance into the dressing room,” Rahul said.

“He made us work really hard at the training. It’s a great opportunity for us to learn and get better as cricketers and as individuals.”