Currently I am in a mind space that I have to play as many matches anywhere: KL Rahul

KL Rahul exclusively speaks to Star Sports by sharing his thoughts on adapting to playing multiple different roles for Team India, “I think when I was playing in ODI for the first time on number four or five, initially I think I was given that role in 2017 against Sri Lanka and I was given 2-3 chances and I didn’t really do well and after that I was out of the team. So, during those 2-3 matches, I tried to understand that more than anything what was going in my own mindset. As an opener, when you face the first ball of a spinner, then he is not ready.

You are already set and up in the game and have already played the fast bowler spell. So when they come they don’t know the line and length and you can settle them in your innings and unsettle the bowler, but what’s most difficult is when I go in number 4 or 5, everyone else is set. They know how the pitch is playing and the game is set. I’ve got to go and adjust to that scenario and try and adjust, so that was the hardest thing for me. I want to say that new balls is also not an easy job, but with new balls sometimes fast bowlers will try a little bit, you get a cover drive or a half-four on leg, then it makes you feel good but at number five, you don’t get that.

You have to play 25-30 balls. Like in the last innings, I played 30 balls. I didn’t get a single boundary, not a single easy boundary. So, just keep yourself a little calmer and go according to the situation of the game which is already there. When I think like this, it becomes easy. When I am thinking about my own game, it becomes a bit difficult.”

“Unfortunately, I have missed a lot of matches because of my injuries. I was playing for the country since I was 22, but if you look at my matches, I haven’t played that much. Initially, I had to wait for my turn when Vijay or Shikhar was playing, or Rohit and Shikhar were playing in ODI cricket. Then, I had to wait for a lot of time, and then whenever I used to get the chance to play, I used to get injured, so I had really missed out on a lot of cricket. So currently, I am in a mind space that I have to play as many matches anywhere and I want to do well for my country and play and enjoy my cricket in the middle”.