I am a red-ball cricketer and played my natural game today: Rahul

Ideally, Karnataka should have had a good look at S.V. Rahul in the recently concluded Dr. (Capt) K. Thimmappiah memorial tournament.

Rahul, who turned 19 just two days ago and made a patient, unbeaten 108 (187b, 10x4) on day two of Andhra’s Ranji Trophy match against Karnataka on Monday, had scored a 105 for Andhra in the final of the Thimmappiah tournament.

Though it was against Madhya Pradesh, it was in the southern powerhouse’s own backyard, the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Yet, on his First Class debut in Mulapadu near here, he proved to be a code hidden in plain sight.

“Scoring runs in the first match is always the happiest moment,” said Rahul after anchoring Andhra’s recovery from 116 for five to 331 for six in reply to Karnataka’s 274.

“The wicket was not that easy to bat, but not the toughest either. I was a bit nervous, but I had enough seniors to guide me and give confidence.”

The southpaw, who idolises Yuvraj Singh, has risen quickly through the Andhra cricketing ranks, making a mark in the Col. C.K. Nayudu (under-23) Trophy last year with a double century against Delhi. It is this red-ball experience that has held him in good stead.

“In age-group cricket, there are not many white-ball or T20 matches. So I am a red-ball cricketer and what I played today was my natural game.”

But in the Andhra Premier League, Rahul has impressed with his six-hitting ability, showcasing another dimension to his game. If he makes good on his initial promise, a top-draw all-format batter is in the making.