Not thinking too much about World Cup spot, says KL Rahul

KL Rahul had a terrific outing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) last year, gathering 659 runs from 14 matches with six fifties. This season, the Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) had an ordinary start with the scores of four and one in the first two games but came up with a magnificent 71 not out in the third match against a strong Mumbai Indians (MI) in Mohali on Saturday to win the game for his side. He took 57 balls for his knock and hit six fours and one six.

Rahul has had a poor run in international cricket between the two IPLs

Rahul has had a poor run in international cricket after the last IPL, failing in series both at home and abroad. Barring a century against England in a dead rubber at the Oval in September, Rahul hasn’t had much to write about in the inter-IPL period and lost place in the national playing XI quite a few times. He was lucky to get Tests in Australia recently as Prithvi Shaw was ruled out with injury but could not make the opportunity count.

He also found himself landing in a television controversy along with Hardik Pandya in January that saw them getting a temporary suspension. Rahul then returned to play for India ‘A’ against England Lions at home and scored a couple of good knocks. He then scored a fifty in the T20I series against Australia at home but failed to score much in the only ODI he played.

It is still not clear whether Rahul will be able to cement a place in India’s squad for the World Cup kicking off in May next month but after the match-winning knock against the MI, things could drastically change to his favour if Rahul can show consistency with the bat.

However, the soon-to-turn 27-year-old feels a couple of games don’t mean much and also that he is not thinking too much into India’s No.4 slot issue ahead of the World Cup. The Men in Blue are yet to find a permanent solution to the No.4 position puzzle in the batting order as not many ideas have worked.

“As players, it is important that we try and perform well for our respective IPL franchises and team. It is also very important to stay in the present. If you do well, you are automatically in the race for selection. But if you worry about the selection, then you put too much pressure on yourself,” India Today cited reports as quoting Rahul.

“I am not somebody who is thinking too much about the World Cup spot. I just want to perform for KXIP and enjoy the IPL. T20 cricket is all about having fun.”

The Indian squad for the WC is likely to be announced on or before April 20, chief selector MSK Prasad said recently.

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