KL Rahul, the stand-in captain for the Indian cricket team, fondly reminisces about the iconic moment when MS Dhoni struck the winning six in the 2011 World Cup final against Sri Lanka, clinching India’s second ODI World Cup title. Rahul now hopes to recreate that magical moment in the upcoming 2023 edition of the tournament.
Recalling that historic day, KL Rahul shared, “I was in Bangalore, watching the game with a few friends. When we lost two quick wickets, we thought the game was slipping away. But when we secured victory, we drove to the busiest area in Bangalore. It was an unforgettable scene with everyone jubilantly celebrating. As Indians, it was a moment of immense pride. Hopefully, we can bring that joy back to our nation.”
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Currently, Rahul is leading the Indian side in the first two ODIs against Australia as part of the preparations for the World Cup. When asked about his role as captain, he expressed, “The team management has displayed a lot of confidence in me over the past two years. They keep entrusting me with more responsibilities, which reflects their belief in my abilities. It boosts my confidence, and I genuinely enjoy taking on these responsibilities. It adds excitement to life and makes cricket even more enjoyable.”
Rahul made a remarkable return to international cricket after recovering from a right thigh injury, scoring an unbeaten 111 against Pakistan during the Asia Cup. He continued his stellar form by contributing a match-winning fifty in the ODI series opener against Australia, which India won by five wickets in Mohali.
“Everyone witnessed my performance in the Asia Cup, where I played all the games in the Super Fours. I batted, kept wickets, and scored runs, answering any concerns about my fitness. With a significant two months ahead, including the World Cup and the Australia series, I aim to maintain this form,” Rahul confidently stated.
Discussing his physical preparation for matches, Rahul explained, “I knew that upon returning to the side, I would have to take on the roles of a wicket-keeper and a batter. The physical demands are much higher than when I’m solely focused on batting. I was well aware of this, so I dedicated myself to improving my fitness. As cricketers, we understand the challenges we’ll face on the field and strive to replicate them during training sessions.”
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While Rahul initially started his ODI career as an opener, he has found success as a middle-order batter since the 2019 World Cup. He believes that adapting to different roles and handling pressure situations has contributed to his success in this phase of the batting order.
“Throughout my career, I primarily batted as an opener, where you have the freedom to dictate the game’s tempo. Even in chasing scenarios, you have a clear target to achieve. You enter the game with no extra pressure, knowing you can set the tone. However, batting in the middle order presents a unique challenge. You must assess the situation and adapt accordingly. I’ve been fortunate to gain enough experience in the middle order to understand and adjust. While batting at positions 4 and 5 is somewhat similar, there’s a significant contrast between opening and batting in the middle order,” Rahul elaborated.
Rahul views the upcoming series against Australia as valuable preparation for the Indian team ahead of the World Cup. “I believe it is. Australia is considered one of the favorites in the upcoming World Cup. They possess exceptional talent, including players we compete with in the IPL, and we’ve witnessed their impact. They visit India frequently and are familiar with our pitches and conditions. This series will be a test of each team’s skills and abilities. I’m genuinely excited about this series, as it provides the ideal challenge before the World Cup.”
