India's limited-overs vice-captain for the tour of Australia, KL Rahul, said he would love to keep wickets for the country in the successive ICC events coming up, adding though, there hasn't been communication with the team management on that front.
Having displaced Rishabh Pant as India's first-choice gloveman earlier this year, Rahul performed very well as an opener in T20Is and a No.5 batsman in ODIs versus Australia at home and then on the tour of New Zealand while also giving assurity behind the stumps.
The 28-year-old, who has gained in leadership experience too captaining Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) in IPL 2020 in UAE, is now eyeing glory with the Indian team at the 2021, 2022 T20 World Cups and the 2023 ODI World Cup playing the same role.
"It helps the team combination a little more and it’s something I would love to do…if the opportunity presents itself and I can keep in three World Cups, I would love to do it for my country," Rahul said in response to a query in the build-up to the first of three ODIs down under on Friday (November 27).
“Nothing has been told to me (by the management) and we are not thinking that far as a team. Obviously, World Cups are important and that is a long-term vision for every team and country."
"I think for me, we are just taking one game at a time. So if I put up consistent performances with bat and gloves, it gives us an option of playing an extra bowler or an extra batter."
"What the team wants from me and what combination sits better. Obviously, the last ODI series (against New Zealand) that we played, I batted at no.5, it’s a role that I have enjoyed and (I am) happy to play whatever role the team gives me," he added.
In limited opportunities, Rahul has looked safe against fast bowling, but needs to tighten up with the gloves to spin. And with MS Dhoni now retired, he'll also have to play the role of a guiding light to the likes of Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravindra Jadeja.
"Look obviously, nobody can fill MS Dhoni’s place. He has shown us the way and how wicketkeeper-batman role is performed."
"With Kuldeep, Yuzi and Jaddu, we have a decent friendship and obviously I will go and give them a feedback as to what is a better length if they are doing something wrong and anybody in wicketkeeper’s role will have that responsibility," he said.
Keeping in the 50-over version, not only tests the technique but also the physical fitness over a longer period of time, but Rahul is ready for the challenge.
"I did one series in New Zealand and quite enjoyed it and hopefully I can be better at reading the game and give bowlers and captains some good feedback for the bowlers and the captain," he said.
With Rohit Sharma resting, Rahul is now deputy to Virat Kohli. The talented cricketer says leading KXIP has given him the feel of what the pressure of captaining the side is like and he'll be mentally prepared in case required to step-up.
"I did get a little bit of a feel with the IPL. I had to play a similar role there. It was challenging, new, got used to the role and started enjoying it," he said.
"Yeah, hopefully, I will continue the same over here. When you are playing for the country, you have 11 of the best-skilled guys, great cricket minds all by themselves and an able and passionate leader like Virat. You look forward to a new responsibility," Rahul added.
(With PTI inputs)
