After scripting India’s comprehensive 65-run victory over West Indies in the series-deciding third T20I, opener KL Rahul admitted that it is difficult to be at peace when one’s place in the national team is uncertain.
In this series, Rahul got an opportunity to bat at the top as regular opener Shikhar Dhawan sustained a knee injury while playing in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy for Delhi.
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Making the most of his chances, Rahul registered the scores of 40-ball 62, 11-ball 11 and 56-ball 91 in three T20Is and earned the Player-of-the-Match award in the decider at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Wednesday (December 11).
“I won’t say I don’t feel it (pressure) at all. Obviously, going in and out of the team is never easy on any player, you take a little bit of time to get used to the international pressure and oppositions and there are no opposition where you can just walk in and score runs, so it’s always difficult,” Rahul told reporters.
“You can only hope (for being in the team). For me what’s in my control is to keep putting up these performances whenever I get the opportunity and I am not at that stage where I worry about whether I’ll find myself playing the next tournament or anything (like that).
“Whenever I get the opportunity I want to win games for my team and be out there in the middle and enjoy my batting. That’s the place that I get most happiness right now being in the middle and hitting the ball from the middle of the bat, so whenever that opportunity comes, I’ll like to grab and enjoy it,” he added.
The stylish right-hander said he tries to be in the rhythm even when he is not in the team.
“This game is all about confidence and being in good rhythm and good touch. I can’t really sit outside and not prepare, all I can do is sit outside and prepare and try to create match feel for myself and I did play a lot of first class cricket, so not a lot changes, it is still T20 cricket,” he said.
Rahul, 27, also revealed how he dealt with the disappointment when he was dropped from the team.
“I mean you can only complicate it (if) your thoughts are wrong, my thoughts are very simple. I prepare as hard as I can, put in the hours in the nets. When I get first class cricket, I go back and play and try to improve my skill, batting and get some time in the middle,” he said.
“I know people feel it is easier said than done, it is as easy you make it. Life is (all about) what you put in your head.”
Rahul highlighted the importance of keep playing and be ready so that one can use the opportunities.
“It’s so important for a batsman or a bowler (or) for anybody for that matter to be in good rhythm, being out there in the middle, no matter how much you train or how much hours you put in at the nets, when you go out in middle it is completely different,” he said.
“It is important that we keep playing cricket and be in the middle, that’s helped me and I have always felt that’s what helps a batsman to stay in good rhythm, not putting hours in the net, I’d rather be in the middle playing games.”
(With PTI inputs)
