India national cricket team’s star batsman KL Rahul has opened up on getting the chance to captain the team in the upcoming ODI series against the South Africa national cricket team.
KL Rahul has also revealed what number he will bat at in the absence of Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer in the upcoming series against the Proteas.
I have been playing at number six since the Champions Trophy – KL Rahul
KL Rahul was appointed India’s stand-in captain for the 50-over matches against the Temba Bavuma-led side after Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer were ruled out due to injuries.
Shubman Gill suffered a neck injury during the Eden Gardens Test against South Africa, and Shreyas Iyer suffered a spleen injury during the Australia tour, and are expected to be out of action for some time.
Addressing the press ahead of the opening of the ODI series, KL Rahul made it clear that there will be no change in his batting position in the absence of Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer, and he will continue to bat at No. 6. He said:
“I haven’t finalized the exact XI yet. I have been playing at number six since the Champions Trophy, so I will bat there. And obviously, we have all-rounders like Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Nitish Reddy – all these options are available to us. We will see what is the best XI and take that decision in the evening, and you will know tomorrow.”
Just a day before the announcement- KL Rahul
KL Rahul also revealed that he learned about his appointment as team captain a day before the official announcement and expressed his excitement about leading the team.
Rahul said that having players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja will help him a lot during the series.
“Just a day before the announcement, I was told that the opportunity might come and I might have to lead. I have captained the team before. It’s something that is very exciting. I am looking forward to enjoying that responsibility. I have always enjoyed the responsibility, taking the right decisions for the team. That’s about it. I don’t think too much about it,” KL Rahul said.
“Obviously I have Rohit (Sharma), Virat (Kohli), Jaddu (Ravindra Jadeja), all the senior players around me who will help. We all have to think about how we play our cricket because we are all leaders and we try to do the best for the team. Whether I am the captain or someone else is the captain, that continues. There is always a collective effort to do something towards a bigger goal.”
Obviously Jadeja has been a part of the Indian team for so many years- Rahul
After being out of the Australia tour, Ravindra Jadeja will return to the ODI team for the South Africa series and has replaced Axar Patel in the team.
Talking about him, KL Rahul said that he is happy with the return of Ravindra Jadeja to the team. Rahul explained in detail:
“Jadeja has obviously been a part of the Indian team for so many years and has done the job time and again. I am happy to have him back in the ODI team. He missed the Australia series but he was also a part of the Champions Trophy.”
“And he was crucial for us in winning the tournament. He’s someone who can do everything and he’s someone who has always done everything the team has needed from him. So, having him, having his experience is obviously great for him as a captain or whoever is captaining.”
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