Win Projections to be updated soon
In an exclusive interview with Star Sports, KL Rahul discusses how he has adjusted to playing a variety of positions for Team India.
When I played my first ODI, I believe I was assigned to the number four or five spot against Sri Lanka in 2017. I was given two to three chances, but I didn’t really perform well, therefore I was dropped from the team. I made a concerted effort to comprehend my own mental state during those two to three matches. When a spinner faces his first ball as an opener, he is not prepared.
The fast bowler spell has already been used, and you are already setup and in the game. The hardest part is when I bat number four or five because everyone else is set, so when they come, they don’t know the line and length, so you can settle them in your innings and disturb the bowler. They understand the rules of the game and how the pitch is playing.
The most difficult thing for me was having to go and try to adjust to that situation. It is also not an easy task, I would add, to bowl with fresh balls. Occasionally, fast bowlers will give it a shot and manage to get a half-four or cover drive on leg, which gives them a sense of accomplishment, but at number five, they are unable to repeat that performance.
25–30 balls must be played. Similar to the previous inning, I faced 30 balls. I received not a single boundary, not even a single simple boundary. Thus, simply maintain a slight sense of composure and adapt to the existing game circumstances. It becomes simple for me to think in this way. It gets a little challenging when I’m thinking about my own game.
“Unfortunately, my ailments have kept me out of a lot of games. Although my matches don’t show that I’ve played much, I have been representing my country since I was 22. When Vijay or Shikhar were playing, or Rohit and Shikhar were playing in ODI cricket, I had to wait for my turn first.
Then, I was forced to wait a long time, and if I did get to play, I would get injured, so I was really missing out on a lot of cricket. I want to play and enjoy cricket in the middle while also doing well for my nation, so I’m in the mindset that I have to play as many matches as possible wherever I am right now.
India
