Team India captain for the upcoming three-ODI series against Zimbabwe, KL Rahul said that he couldn't thank the team management enough for remembering his contribution in the last two years while he was out for the last two months.
Rahul has been on the injured list since the IPL 2022 when he suffered a sports hernia on the eve of the first T20I at home against South Africa in June. He underwent surgery for the same, which ruled him out of the England tour and when he was all ready to be back for West Indies T20Is, he contracted Covid-19.
KL Rahul had also hurt his hamstring during rehab, further prolonging his comeback, which eventually will happen against Zimbabwe, against whom he made his ODI and T20I debut in 2016.
"You might be out for two months but they haven't forgotten what you have done for the team and the country in last two three years. Players actually thrive in such an environment. It is this kind of environment that can help a player transform from being a good player to a great player, playing a lot more match-winning innings for his team," the Indian captain said on the eve of the first ODI against Zimbabwe.
"It is very important for a player to get the backing of selectors, coach and captain. It gives you so much confidence that your mindset is clear and you can focus on the things that are necessary. It becomes easy for player that your support group is backing you," the stylish right-hander added.
Talking about the injuries he has suffered recently, Rahul said that the injuries are part of the sport and you got to take the good and the bad.
KL Rahul also touched upon the subject that he was making his comeback into the Men in Blue side after two months.
"I have been out for two months, and just to get back to the dressing room and have that chat and laughter around the group, is great. I can't go out there and be someone else. Then I won't be fair to myself, to the team, or to the game. I try and be myself and let the other players be themselves as they want," Rahul said when asked if he had tried to follow the footsteps of the great MS Dhoni.
"I can't even compare myself with these guys (MSD), their numbers and achievement are far greater in terms of what they have done for the country, and I don't think any name could be taken in the same breath. And this is my second series as captain, and obviously, I have played under him and learnt a lot from him as player. As you have been playing for so many years, you will pick some good qualities from these guys,” he said.
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Rahul also knew that it was a challenge for him as a skipper to manage a diverse bowling attack, but he said that he is ready for it.
"It will be (challenging) for any leader as to how good you are in managing your players and bringing the best out of them. Everybody is in a different place in their careers, and few of us have come back from injuries, few have played a lot of cricket and how do you manage their bodies and how do you manage mindset and nervousness of guys who are coming after a long break, and those are challenges as a leader," he said.
(PTI inputs)
