It Was Important For Me to Make the Most of My Opportunities: KL Rahul

It again proved to be a roller coaster ride for the Men in Blue as they registered their biggest victory runs in Twenty20 International cricket. They thumped reland by 143 runs in the second and final T20I at the Malahide Cricket Club (MCC) in Dubai on Friday (June 29).

The victory was largely built around a great knock by KL Rahul. Hardik Pandya played a terrific cameo in the end. It ensured India reached a huge total of 213 in their allotted 20 overs.

Moreover, the wrist spinning duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal proved to be the wrecker in chief yet again. Between them, the duo bagged six wickets.

After batting first India got off to a brisk start. It was skipper Virat Kohli who came out to open the innings with KL Rahul. Shikhar Dhawan was rested from the XI.

Interestingly, Rohit Sharma was sent down the batting order. Even Mahendra Singh Dhoni got a break in favour of Dinesh Karthik. Rahul carried on from where he left in the Indian Premier League (IPL). However his partner Virat was dismissed after scoring just nine.

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A huge partnership between Rahul and Raina:

From there, on it was a huge partnership between Suresh Raina and KL Rahul which ensured India looked set for a huge total.

Rahul scored 70 of a mere 36 deliveries. The innings was studded with three fours and six sixes. Rahul and Rohit fell in the same over of Kevin O’Brien. He bagged the two prized wickets in his very first over. Raina also went on to score 67.

However, it was a blistering 32 off nine deliveries from Hardik Pandya which got India to a score of 212 runs. While bowling Umesh Yadav, the man making a come back bagged the wicket of Paul Stirling in his very first over.

Promising prospect Siddharth Kaul also managed to bag his maiden international wicket. However, the wrist spinners again proved to be the downfall for Ireland.

The duo was quite brilliant for the second time in succession. The Irish batters were bamboozled yet again in front of two world-class spinners. They kept losing at regular intervals and eventually were skittled out for a paltry 70 in 12.3 overs.

Meanwhile, Rahul was awarded as the Man of the Match for his heroic knock.

Now, let us have a look at what KL Rahul said at the post-match presentation:

“It was important for me to make the most of the opportunities that I get. It was a good wicket and I enjoyed batting on it. I came into the series with a good run in the IPL, so I just continued and enjoyed myself in the middle,” Rahul said during the post-game presentation.

 

“It was a little spongy, and the back of length balls were holding up. So, I was staying back in the crease to get used to it and getting into good positions and striking the ball well. Getting time off gets me more determined to come back and make runs,” Rahul maintained.

“It is important to use the time out to work on your cricket and technique. Whenever I am sitting out I try to work on coming back stronger. The kind of team we have, it is hard to stay in the side and take your place for granted,” he stated.

 

“I’ve never played in the UK before, and we know it will be challenging. That’s what this young team has been doing for the last few years, and we will be up to the challenge. This series will also test our skills and character, so we are looking forward to that,” Rahul concluded.

Also Read: IRE vs IND 2018, 2nd T20I: Just the Kind of Momentum we Wanted for England – Virat Kohli