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India National Cricket Team vs England Cricket Team Match Scorecard: Indian opener KL Rahul was overwhelmed with the way India carved out a hard-fought draw in the series, including a stellar win against England in the fifth test at the Oval on Monday. Rahul praised the fine quality of gamesmanship, which worked as an 'excellent' advertisement for Test Cricket

Rahul proved his worth yet again overseas, scoring difficult runs whenever required for the side. He amassed 532 runs at an 'intimidating' average of 53.20 in 10 innings.

The opener admitted that it felt "a bit weird" with Virat, Rohit and Ashwin not around, and everyone was coming to him for advice, and that is when he realised his changing role in the team.

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Speaking after the match in the post-match talk with the broadcasters, KL said, "It means absolutely everything. I have played cricket for a while. We won the Champions Trophy (this year). I have seen India lifting the World Cup (the T20 World Cup 2007 and 2024 and ODI WCs of 1983 and 2011), nothing compares to lifting the World Cup. But so many doubts, so many questions about whether Test cricket will stay or not. I think both the teams, with the way we have played the series, I guess have answered the question."

"For us as a team that was not given a chance in the series, for us to fight back and fight every game and get a result of 2-2... Might seem like a draw but for us and for Indian Test cricket going into the future, this will rank right at the top and this is where the change begins and the team will win a lot more series outside of India. The whole team deserves it," he added.

Shubman Gill To Stay As Leader: KL Rahul

KL spoke highly of Shubman - the leader as he called him "phenomenal" and someone who "led from the front".

Also Read: Player of the series award to Shubman Gill, here's why!

"He has worked really hard with the boys. He has been tactically really good. The changes he has made have always got us wickets somehow. He will grow further. He is here to stay as a leader and take this Indian Test team to great heights," he added.

"Once I joined the team, it hit me (Not having the senior players around). To look around and not see them (Rohit, Virat and Ashwin) felt a bit weird. Everyone came to me and asked me about conditions, and that is when it hit me that okay, I have stepped into a different role to help the younger guys and use all the experience and really put my hand up and stand up for this team," he said.

Rahul was surpassed by Joe Root as the second-highest run-scorer for this series as the English master batter scored a brilliant hundred in 3rd innings.