Okay.L. Rahul has been one of many pillars of India’s middle-order batting in ODIs in the previous couple of years and has owned the No. 5 spot. However, in current occasions, because the Men in Blue have appeared to combine issues up by having a left-right combo, Rahul has usually needed to come down a place or two to accommodate Axar Patel at 5.
In the opening encounter in opposition to Bangladesh, Rahul scored a important unbeaten 41 (47b) when the staff was in slight bother at 144 for 4 chasing 229.
The 32-year-old, who additionally dons the massive gloves, stated he was ready for the new challenge.
“It’s never easy for anyone in the team to move different places. But that’s how the game goes. Whatever the team thinks is the best possible combination and what they feel is the best entry point for the player, you leave it to them and just try to do your job,” stated Rahul forward of India’s last group sport within the Champions Trophy in opposition to New Zealand on Sunday.
Giving an perception into how he has to adapt to the new position, Rahul revealed he seems to coach with previous balls and dry pitches to simulate the situations through which he would possibly get to bat.
“I might be walking in with eight or maybe 10 to 12 overs to go; not more than if we (have) batted well. So, I realised when I go in, I need to have that skill-set to go in and be able to hit sixes probably from ball one or play at a high strike rate.”
“As soon as I go in (nets), I challenge myself to see if I can hit a six of the first couple of deliveries or boundaries. How many boundaries can I hit in the first 10 balls? That’s more realistic to what I might get here. And that’s the only way you give yourself the best chance to succeed and do what the team expects of you,” he added.
With Rishabh Pant within the squad because the second wicketkeeper, Rahul is conscious of the competitors however believes in staying true to his strengths.
“There is — I won’t lie,” stated Rahul about not having a lot of margin of error contemplating the competitors for his spot. “I mean, he’s a talented player and shown how aggressive he is and how quickly he can change the game.
The temptation
“There’s always the temptation for the team (captain or coach) to play one of us. But if given the opportunity, I try and see what I can do best. I am not trying to compete with Rishabh or trying to play like him. So, I try to do what I do best and stick to my game.”
Published – March 01, 2025 10:19 am IST
