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Rahul equals record in return knock

India's opener comes back into the XI in style, stroking a sixth consecutive half-century to equal record

Opener KL Rahul has made a fine start in his return to India's XI, stroking his sixth consecutive Test half-century to equal the national record on the first morning of the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo.

Rahul missed the first Test through illness but his outstanding performances previously saw him force his way back into a competitive top order, and he was the lynchpin for India with an entertaining 57 before being run-out shortly after lunch as India moved to 2-114.

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Six straight half-centuries is a feat achieved by only two Indians in Test history – Gundappa Viswanath managed it in 1977-78 before Rahul Dravid did it 20 years later, in 1997-98.

Five players share the overall record of seven consecutive fifties: Sir Everton Weekes (WI), Andy Flower (Zim), Shivnarine Chanderpaul (WI), Kumar Sangakkara (SL) and Chris Rogers (Aus).


Rahul will have a chance to match those players in the second innings, after his captain, Virat Kohli, backed him to return to the XI despite strong claims from Abhinav Mukund, who was ultimately dropped, and Shikhar Dhawan, who was out for 35 on the opening morning.

The 25-year-old also underwent shoulder surgery following the Australia Test series.

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"It is very important for us to make him feel that this is his spot," Kohli said of Rahul on the eve of this Test.

"And it won't be changed because of unfortunate events that happen outside of the playing field or the injuries that you can't control. (Through) that phase you have to come back, get stronger.

"He has really stuck it out in that phase. It's been hard for him, we all know that, because he was batting so well and then he was out because of this.

"It is very important to make him feel secure and he deserves it because he has given us those big performances when the team has required it the most.

"He is a guy who needs to be backed and we as a team, as management, and me as captain all back him 100 per cent."

Prior to Sri Lanka, Rahul made five straight fifties against Australia, and six in seven innings: 64 & 10 in Pune; 90 & 51 in Bengaluru; 67 in Ranchi; and 60 & 51no in Dharamsala.