Sydney: Criticised for failing in his debut Test in Melbourne, young Indian batsman Lokesh Rahul was relieved to score his maiden century in his second game to help India stay afloat on the third day of the fourth and final cricket Test against Australia, in Sydney on Thursday. The 22-year-old Karnataka batsman could only muster 3 and 1 in the first and second innings respectively in the Boxing Day Test but struck a well-deserved ton at the SCG, while opening the innings.

“It feels good. It was not the debut that I had expected in Melbourne. I came out thinking this is my first game and I am very pleased with the way I batted today,” said Rahul in the end of day’s play press conference. “I am more relieved than being proud of myself. It was a nightmare debut and it didn’t make my life easier coming to this second Test. I dropped a sitter.

I kept telling myself the only way from here is up and I had to calm myself down. Definitely batting up the order gave me a little more time to myself. I just kept playing one ball at a time that was my focus. It was important for me as an opener to play one ball at a time and enjoy the challenge. After I played last evening it was challenging to get through the last 25 overs,” he added.