IND vs AFG: "Just Let Me Play.."- KL Rahul Expresses Strong Desire To Return To India's T20 Squad

KL Rahul had a really good series against South Africa as he emerged as the only centurion from India in the series. He has had a terrific comeback from his injury in the IPL 2023 after which missed out on a lot of cricketing action including the WTC finals and the series against West Indies and Ireland. Rahul returned to the squad during the Asia Cup and announced his return in style by scoring a terrific hundred against Pakistan in the Asia Cup.

KL Rahul has been India’s most versatile player in recent times as he has performed multiple roles in the team successfully. He has performed as a wicketkeeper, as a middle-order batter, as a top-order batter, and also as a captain for the team. KL Rahul’s versatility is something that makes him a regular member of India’s playing XI. In a recent conversation, he talks about how the shift from an opener to a middle-order batter has impacted his mentality and gameplay.

” I think when I was first asked to bat at No.5 or NO.4 in ODIs, initially or the first time that role was given to me in 2017 while we toured Sri Lanka and I got a few chances there and I didn’t really do well and I was dropped from the team after that. So those two to three matches, I tried to understand what was going on in my mindset more than anything,” said KL Rahul.

” As an opener when you face the first over of a spinner then he is not ready, you’re already up in the game, you’re already set, you have already played fast bowlers and when they come they don’t know the line or length and you can settle into your innings and unsettle the bowler but the biggest challenge while batting at No.4 or No.5 is that when I come on the crease, I’m unsettled while everyone else is set,” he added.

Watch KL Rahul Talking About The Difference Between Batting As An Opener And As A No.5

‘At this point of my career, I’m just happy for the opportunity to contribute for #TeamIndia‘, says @klrahul, an attitude that has impressed many fans & experts.

Which position do you think he plays his best cricket in?#Cricket #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/dg3mS1n8L5

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) January 4, 2024

KL Rahul also talked about how he had to wait for his chance 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 matches and chances he missed due to his injuries and expressed his desire to play more matches for his country no matter in what position he is asked to play.

On being asked about batting in the middle order in T20s, Rahul said, ” When they ask me to do any job, I always say that play me in the XI no matter where you want me to play. I want to play matches Unfortunately, due to injuries I have missed a lot of matches. Not just this injury but I’ve been injured quite a lot so looking back, I mean I’m 31 now but I’ve been playing since I was 22 for the country but if you look at my matches, I haven’t played much initially. I had to wait my turn when Vijay and Shikhar were playing or when Rohit and Shikhar were playing in ODI cricket.”

KL Rahul will be keeping wickets for India in the red-ball series against England which is scheduled from January 25 where India and England will clash in a five-match Test series. Wicketkeeping in Indian conditions will be a tough challenge for Rahul as the rank turners have always troubled a lot of wicketkeepers. However, KL Rahul has proved his worth everywhere and he is up for another challenge as a middle-order batter and a wicketkeeper for Team India. He has been the perfect replacement for Rishabh Pant.