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The Indian cricket team's recent performance at Lord's has sparked considerable discussion and analysis within the cricketing fraternity. KL Rahul's candid reflections on the match, particularly his assessment of the batting performance and Rishabh Pant's courageous innings, provide valuable insights into the team's mindset and the challenges they faced. The article highlights a missed opportunity for India to seize a significant advantage, ultimately leading to a more evenly poised contest. Rahul's frustration stems from the fact that several batsmen, including himself, managed to get off to promising starts but failed to convert those starts into substantial scores. This lack of conversion proved to be a critical factor in preventing India from building a commanding lead, a scenario that could have significantly altered the course of the match. The ability to convert starts into big scores is a hallmark of successful Test teams. It demonstrates resilience, concentration, and the ability to capitalize on pressure situations. Rahul acknowledges this deficiency in India's performance, emphasizing that one or both of the set batsmen in the top five should have gone on to achieve a big score. This would have not only solidified India's position but also exerted immense pressure on the opposition bowlers and fielders. The partnership between Rahul and Pant was a crucial phase of the innings, providing stability and momentum to the Indian innings. However, their dismissals, occurring relatively close together, disrupted the flow and opened the door for the opposition to claw back into the game. Rahul's disappointment is understandable, as he recognizes that their failure to convert their partnership into a match-defining stand ultimately hampered India's chances. The article also sheds light on Rishabh Pant's resilience and determination to contribute to the team's cause despite battling through significant pain. Pant's injury clearly hampered his mobility and strokeplay, but he refused to let it deter him from playing a fighting innings. His 74 runs were invaluable in the context of the match, showcasing his commitment to the team and his ability to perform under pressure. Rahul's admiration for Pant's spirit is evident, as he recounts how Pant continued to bat despite experiencing considerable discomfort. The fact that Pant was missing out on scoring opportunities due to his injury further underscores his selflessness and dedication to the team. In conclusion, Rahul's reflections provide a nuanced understanding of India's performance at Lord's. While acknowledging the missed opportunities and the disappointment of failing to capitalize on good starts, he also highlights the positive aspects, such as Pant's courageous innings and the overall competitiveness of the team. The article serves as a reminder of the importance of converting starts into big scores in Test cricket and the impact of individual resilience in overcoming challenges.