KL Rahul had a very good series against South Africa as he emerged as India’s only centurion in the series. He made an excellent recovery from the injury in IPL 2023, after which he missed a lot of cricket action, including the WTC finals and the series against the West Indies and Ireland. Rahul returned to the team during the Asia Cup and announced his comeback in style by scoring a fantastic hundred against Pakistan in the Asia Cup.
KL Rahul has been India’s most versatile player in recent times as he has successfully played multiple roles in the team. He has performed as a wicket-keeper, a middle-order batsman, a top-order batsman and also as a team captain. KL Rahul’s versatility is something that makes him a regular member of India’s playing eleven. In a recent conversation, he talks about how the shift from opener to middle-order batsman has impacted his mentality and game.
“I think when I was first asked to bat at number 5 or 4 in ODIs, initially or the first time I was given that role in 2017 while we were touring Sri Lanka and I had a few opportunities there and I didn’t do it. I didn’t really do well and after that I was dropped from the team. So in those two or three matches I tried to understand what was happening because of my mindset more than anything,” KL Rahul said.
“As an opener, when you face the first over of a spinner, then he is not ready, you are already up in the game, you are already ready, you have already played fast bowlers and when they come they do not know the line or length and you can settle into your innings and destabilize the bowler, but the biggest challenge in batting at number 4 or 5 is that when I get to the crease, I am restless while everyone else is ready,” he added.
Watch KL Rahul talking about the difference between batting as an opener and batting at number 5
“At this point in my career, I am happy for the opportunity to contribute to #TeamIndia,” says @klrahul, an attitude that has impressed many fans and pundits.
In which position do you think he plays his best cricket? #Cricket #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/dg3mS1n8L5
– Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) January 4, 2024
KL Rahul also spoke about how he had to wait for his opportunity when Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma used to open for India and in Tests Murali Vijay and Shikhar Dhawan used to open. He also shed light on all the games and opportunities he missed due to his injuries and expressed his desire to play more games for his country no matter what position he is asked to play.
When asked about batting in the middle order in T20, Rahul said: “When I am asked to do any job, I always say put me in the XI no matter where you want me to play.” I want to play games. Unfortunately, due to injuries I have missed many games. Not just this injury, but I’ve been injured quite a bit, so looking back, I want to say I’m 31 now, but I’ve been playing for the country since I was 22, but if you look at my games, I haven’t played. a lot initially. I had to wait for my turn when Vijay and Shikhar played or when Rohit and Shikhar played in ODI cricket.”
KL Rahul will keep wickets for India in the red-ball series against England that is scheduled to start from January 25, where India and England will face off in a five-match Test series. Keeping wickets in Indian conditions will be a tough challenge for Rahul as range-changers have always worried many wicketkeepers. However, KL Rahul has proven his worth all around and is up for another challenge as the middle-order batsman and wicketkeeper for Team India. He has been the perfect replacement for Rishabh Pant.
