Regarded as one of India's greatest cricketers, MS Dhoni announced his retirement from international cricket on August 15.
Ever since the wicketkeeper-batsman disclosed his decision through a social media post, he is garnering praises from all quarters for his services to the game.
On Monday (August 24), India batsman KL Rahul once again paid tribute to Dhoni, calling his calmness "insane" and said that his presence was "valuable" for the dressing room.
Rahul further added that he wanted to play some more international cricket with Dhoni.
"Yes, yes. Dhoni’s calmness and belief showed in backing players who had the potential to be match winners.
"Like the rest of the country I too was emotional, we all would have wanted to play some more cricket with him. As I said, his calmness was insane and valuable in the dressing room," he told The Indian Express.
Earlier this year, Rahul replaced Rishabh Pant as India’s first-choice wicketkeeper in white-ball cricket. He kept the wickets in the limited-overs series against Australia in January and also during the tour of New Zealand.
After donning the keeping gloves, Rahul’s batting performances also improved by many folds. He was the Player-of-the-Series in India’s 5-0 T20I series win over the Kiwis and also scored his maiden ODI ton on the same tour.
Asked if he expects more opportunities behind the stump in the absence of Dhoni, Rahul said he will do whatever the team asks him to.
KL Rahul also hinted that he will perform the wicketkeeping duties at Kings XI Punjab in the upcoming IPL as "one gets a full 360-degree view from the spot". However, he added KXIP has many players, who can don the gloves.
“I enjoyed whatever challenge was thrown at me for the last seven-eight months. Be it playing a different role or to bat at any position. Whatever the team needs me to do, I will do it.
“Yes, I will love to do wicketkeeping. We have so many options of wicketkeeper-batsmen, if I feel I need more time or need to be on the field to manage. Standing behind the stumps is a good way to do it as one gets a full 360-degree view, it’s easy to know what is happening. It’s a good place to be,” Rahul, who will lead KXIP in IPL 2020, remarked.
