• Source:JND
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IND vs ENG 3rd Test: Legendary spinner Anil Kumble heaped heavy praise on KL Rahul's composed batting display, noting that the right-handed batter's clinical approach and mature temperament thwarted the challenge posed by the England bowlers, especially pacer Jofra Archer, on the second day of the third Test at Lord's.

Rahul, who scored a century in the first Test, struck his second fifty of the tour -- an unbeaten 53 off 113 balls -- to keep the England quicks at bay even as he lost partners regularly.

The wicketkeeper-batter negated the early burst from comeback man Archer and stood tall against any challenge to complete his 19th Test half-century and his second of the tour following a brilliant 137 in Leeds.

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India lost Yashasvi Jaiswal (13), Karun Nair (40) and skipper Shubman Gill (16) on day 2 to be 145/3 and trailing the hosts by 242 runs in the first innings.

"It was fantastic, a typical KL Rahul innings where he had to grind it out. It was a fiery spell from Jofra Archer — especially that first spell where he clocked over 150 kmph, with steep bounce and a bit of swing early on,” Kumble said on JioHotstar.

"KL countered all of that brilliantly. He was clinical in his approach and looked in control. It was a very disciplined and mature knock, and I'm sure he'll be satisfied with how he played," he added.

Former England batter Jonathan Trott also lauded Rahul's calculated knock in challenging conditions.

"I don't think you can go out there and dictate terms to the bowlers on this pitch. You have to be watchful - it's very much a new-ball wicket. KL was excellent in nullifying that early threat and played very straight. Just like Shubman Gill did in the second Test - using a straight bat, being patient when the ball's on the stumps, and capitalising on the bad balls. That's going to be key tomorrow - to keep pressure on the English side," he said.

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India lost opener Yashasvi Jaiswal (13) early on off Archer in his first over. Rahul and Karun Nair were then involved in a 61-run partnership before Ben Stokes removed the latter for 40. India captain Shubman Gill, who is in sublime touch in the series, was bagged cheaply by Chris Woakes on 16 to put pressure on India.

However, Rishabh Pant and Rahul made sure that they didn't lose any further wickets till stumps to reach 145/3 in 43 overs. India still trails by 242 runs after Jasprit Bumrah's five-wicket haul bundled out England for 387.