For nearly 54 overs, Rahul was resolute in defence and rotated the strike when required, first with skipper Ricky Bhui and then with the tailenders, as the visitor finished on 505 for eight, denying the host a first-innings lead. There was jeering, howling and plenty of chatter, with Punjab’s fielders crowding the bat. But amidst all the noise, only one bat did the talking — that of Andhra’s S.V. Rahul (76 n.o.