Photo via The Hindu

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

S. V.

Rahul, just two days past his 19th birthday, delivered another standout red-ball performance in Andhra’s Ranji Trophy opener against Karnataka, anchoring a dramatic recovery with an unbeaten 108 off 187 balls. The southpaw had already made his mark in the recent Dr.

(Capt) K. Thimmappiah memorial tournament, where he scored 105 in the final at Bengaluru’s M.

Chinnaswamy Stadium, and now followed it up with a patient century on his First Class debut at Mulapadu. Despite early nerves, Rahul’s steady approach—guided by senior teammates—helped steer Andhra from 116 for five to a total of 331 for six, after Karnataka had posted 274.

His rise through Andhra’s age-group ranks, including a double century in last year’s Col. C.K.

Nayudu Trophy, underscores his growing confidence in first-class cricket, where he thrives in multi-day formats. Though he’s also shown flair in the Andhra Premier League with sharp six-hitting, Rahul insists his natural game lies in red-ball cricket, a style he embraced fully in this match.

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