Most of the leading Indian cricketers were playing in the IPL until the other day, but KL Rahul, the vice captain of the national white ball teams, is clear that it will be “a new beginning” for them in Australia when the exchanges take place. . start with ODI on Friday. As well as being Virat Kohli’s backup, Rahul is also the team’s first-choice goalkeeper and one of the best hitters, and having taken on all those responsibilities while leading the Kings XI Punjab in the IPL, Rahul insists: “I got used to that role and I started to enjoy it. “
“I felt a bit sensitive about the IPL. I had to play similar roles there as well,” he said of the triple responsibility in a media interaction Tuesday. “It was challenging and it was new, but I think I got used to it and started to enjoy it. And I hope it continues in the same way here.
“When you play for your country, you are 11 of the best guys in your country, and they are all skilled and they all have a great mind in cricket, and they have a great understanding of themselves; and there is an ability and a passionate leader like Virat. (Kohli), who will always be there for the boys, just makes their job a little easier and I look forward to the new responsibilities. “
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While at the IPL, Rahul said that one of the gains for him was that he was able to learn how to compartmentalize, how to be one and not the other two at all times.
“Something I learned from the IPL is to stay in the moment, stay in the present and when I’m hitting, think like a hitter, evaluate conditions and see how as a hitter I can win the game for the team. And when I’m on the wicketkeeper, During those last three or four seconds while the pitcher is entering, it is important that he acts as a wicketkeeper and not think like a leader, “he explained. “That is something I learned during the IPL, which is very important to me in the future.
“I think it’s important to start off right in the white ball series. We are playing for the country after a while and we are all excited to play some tough cricket, some aggressive cricket. Australia is a country where we have enjoyed coming and competing. and playing tough, aggressive cricket. “
Being part of India’s leadership group, Rahul has at least a little plan in place: “Maybe take a step or two and make sure the team atmosphere is great and the players are hungry and eager to win games. For the country.”
When he last played ODI cricket, in early February in New Zealand, Rahul hit No. 5 and held the wickets – he scored a century in a losing cause in the final game of that series, but seemed to have fixed the spot. No. 5 for the same.
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Rahul on resuming cricket after a long break and the challenges of life in a bubble
“I haven’t played a lot of over 50 cricket over a continuous period of time,” he said. “Although I have been a part of the Indian team for some years, I have never had a career as long as this. I feel good that I am contributing to the victory of the team and playing my role quite well and I am happy that I can go out and do performances. consistent for my team. “
Rahul, however, was unsure what the team’s plans were for him going forward, with two T20 World Cups and one ODI World Cup in the next three years.
“It will depend on what formats I’m playing and what the team wants from me and what combination feels best. Obviously, the last ODI series we played, I hit five and held grounds. So, yeah, that’s a role. I quite enjoyed it and I’m happy to do or play the roles that the team gives me, “he said.” They haven’t told me anything or I don’t think we as a team are thinking that far. Obviously, the World Cups are very, very important and that is the long-term vision for every team and every country. But, when it comes to me, we’re still taking it one game at a time and if I keep doing consistent bat and glove performances it gives us the option to play an additional pitcher or an additional batter, it just helps a little more. the team combination.
“So it’s something that I would love to do and if the opportunity presents itself and I can continue to participate in all three World Cups, I would love to do it for my country.”
On the subject of new beginnings, it was one when the players met in the United Arab Emirates for the IPL in late August. At the time, shortly before the IPL began, Rahul had expressed his fears of returning to the game after the long break. He even said that at times he had worried about forgetting the basics. Rahul’s team finished at No. 5 but topped the tournament’s scorers list.
“It gives a player a lot of confidence. Just considering what the last six or seven months before the IPL were like, we hadn’t played much cricket so it was important as we all came to that tournament with a lot of selfishness. -Doubt and no. We’d prepared enough so we had a lot on our minds: it felt good that I could run races in the middle and hopefully I can use that confidence and build on that momentum in this series as well, “Rahul said. “Obviously it’s a different format, playing Australia, which is a very competitive team. Yes, having races behind you helps but then again it’s a new beginning, it’s a new tournament and it’s a different format. So it’s important that we start fresh and positive and seek to win games for the team. “
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