KL Rahul: ‘I was a little nervous initially’

KL Rahul admitted he felt nervous before making a comeback to cricket after a four month gap at the Asia Cup. The India batter has played two matches now and looked like he had never left.

Against Pakistan, KL Rahul came in as a late inclusion after Shreyas Iyer suffered back spasms. In the rain-marred encounter, Rahul struck an unbeaten 111 runs from 106 balls for a resounding return to action. He had been laid low with a thigh injury which needed surgery and lengthy rehabilitation process.

“I am happy with how the last two games have gone. I was a little nervous initially but as I started facing a few balls I felt alright,” he said on Tuesday after India beat Sri Lanka by 41 runs.

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Rahul said strong preparations during the rehabilitation period at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) helped him prepare.

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“I was thinking that I will be in the playing 11 and that’s how I prepared. I was confident that I can still go there and do the job,” said Rahul.

KL Rahul clarified he was given clarity over his place in the team. He was aware that he’d keep wickets and bat in the middle order. With that in mind, he worked on his wicket-keeping skills during his time at the NCA.

“I have been keeping wickets for the last couple of years. So, it is not new to me. I think I started keeping in 2019 when Rishabh (Pant) got concussed against Australia.”

“During my time at the NCA, I have worked on my keeping with the coaches there. Hopefully, I can do both the roles well,” he added.

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Rahul applauded spinner Kuldeep Yadav who took five wickets against Pakistan and was lethal versus Pakistan. Kuldeep has been India’s highest wicket-taker in ODIs this year.

“I am really enjoying watching him bowling and I can see that he has developed a few new tricks that are giving some results to him,” said Rahul who has a good look at reading the spinner’s deliveries from behind the stumps.

“We keep talking between the overs about the strategy to be adopted to get a batsman out or how to keep a set batsman away from the strike. His rhythm has also been good in the last two matches,” said Rahul.

India were pegged back and dismissed for just 213 runs after Dunith Wellalage took five wickets. He returned for the chase and remained unbeaten on 42 runs from 46 balls, however in a losing cause.

“He got five wickets and got the job done for his team. He looked the most dangerous bowler from the Sri Lankan attack, Obviously, Asalanka also picked up a few wickets later on,” said Rahul.