IND v SL 2023: ‘Really enjoyed being thrown different challenges’- KL Rahul on keeping wickets, batting in middle order in ODIs

KL Rahul scored 64* and helped India win the second ODI vs Sri Lanka in Kolkata.

India’s KL Rahul talked about his dual role as keeper-batter in ODI cricket and said that it is something that has been keeping him on his toes and he has enjoyed being asked to take up different challenges.

Rahul disclosed that the team management has given him time to settle into this new role and that it is not something new as he has been doing this for a while now.

He was the star of India’s victory over Sri Lanka in the second ODI in Eden Gardens as his 64* in 103 balls helped the hosts chase down 215 runs despite losing early wickets on a difficult pitch to chase. The next best score was Hardik Pandya’s 36 runs, with whom he added 75 runs for the fifth wicket.

"Obviously, I've done this for a couple of years now. From the end of 2019, throughout 2020 and a few games in 2021. It's not something that's new. The team has given me time to settle into this position and role. When you have the backing of your captain and coach, it helps you focus and bring 100 percent concentration, which is what the team is expecting.

IND v SL 2023: “It was important to soak in the pressure,” KL Rahul after his series-clinching 64* in 2nd ODI

Yes, it's different to what I do in other formats that keeps me on my toes, keeps me challenged -- a different role helps me understand my game better," Rahul said in the media interaction after India’s win in the second ODI in Kolkata.

Rahul added that he has to work harder on his fitness for the additional responsibility.

"I've to work slightly differently when it comes to batting in the middle order. Wicket-keeping and batting can be slightly more taxing on the body because I have not done it for too long, I've done it on and off in white ball cricket.

That's the tough part. But since I know this is what is required of me, I try to manage my body and work that much harder on my fitness. A little bit of work on my keeping and a lot of work on batting in the middle-order and batting against spin,” he said.

“Any role that helps win matches for my team and country is what satisfies me the most wherever I bat. Firstly, I want to be in the playing XI, that's the most important thing,” he added.

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Rahul, who also led India in Rohit's absence last year, and was the vice-captain in ODIs until last year, before being replaced by Hardik Pandya, said the trust shown in him by the team management helps him flourish under pressure.

He said: "I've been all over, I've been asked to keep wickets. It's been fun for me. I've really enjoyed being thrown different challenges. I've really thrived on performing in tough conditions and being put under pressure. That only tells me that the team really trusts me and backs me, under Virat and Rohit. I've really enjoyed doing that. It helped me understand myself, my game, and my batting better. How I'm under pressure, when taken out of my comfort zone."

Rahul will be gearing up to help India white-wash Sri Lanka when they play in the third and final ODI on Sunday in Thiruvananthapuram.

(Times of India inputs)