Nobody can fill MS Dhoni’s shoes in Indian cricket: KL Rahul

Talented Indian cricketer KL Rahul reckons that MS Dhoni’s boots are too big for anybody to step in. On August 15, Dhoni called it a day from Team India after serving the nation for 16 years since 2004 when he made his debut against Bangladesh in Chattogram. Rahul, who made his international debut in 2014 in Dhoni’s farewell Test, isn’t much fussed about replacing Dhoni.

Rahul has been keeping regular for India ever since Rishabh Pant suffered a concussion during the ODI series against Australia earlier this year. With his sharp glovework and versatile batting, Rahul has managed to keep Pant out from the eleven in the limited-overs formats.

For the time being, the 28-year-old is focussed on the 2020 Indian Premier League (IPL), where he is the captain of the Kings XI Punjab. The Karnataka-born put forth his opinions while speaking to the journalists in a Zoom call from Dubai.

We all are here to do our best and win: KL Rahul

“The expectations are always there, not just from me but from the entire XI who represent in the country and all the 15 guys who are a part of the team. I don’t think it makes me conscious. For now, my focus is solely on the IPL and getting some cricket under me. It’s a shoe and a place that nobody can fill in Indian cricket. That’s something I genuinely feel,” Rahul was quoted as saying.

“We all are here to do our best and win as many games as we can for our country and our franchise. Whatever role is given to me, it’s something that I am grateful for and challenges excite me so I am not very conscious about it. I am very clear about what my roles are and I would play it to the best of my ability,” he added.

Rahul has been a fulcrum of the KXIP batting unit for the last two seasons and also has a century against the Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium. Despite his stupendous efforts, the Punjab team couldn’t make the playoffs. Back in 2018 and 2019, he played under Ravi Ashwin, but this time as the skipper, he will be looking for KXIP’s change in fortunes.