KL Rahul isn’t chucking the large gloves away in ODIs anytime quickly and made it clear that he wouldn’t thoughts standing behind the stumps when the ‘Boxing Day’ Test towards South Africa comes calling in simply over per week’s time.
Leading the ODI staff after common skipper Rohit Sharma took a break from the white ball leg of the South Africa tour, the fashionable right-hander additionally gave sufficient hints that Rinku Singh is all set to be rewarded with an ODI debut after displaying spectacular approach, sound temperament and commendable recreation consciousness within the T20 sequence.
Asked whether or not he’ll hold wickets within the ODI sequence beginning on Sunday, Rahul answered in affirmative. “Yes, I will I be keeping wickets and batting in the middle-order and after that I would be happy to keep wickets in Test matches,” Rahul informed mediapersons through the pre-series interplay.
“I have always been open to doing new roles and accepting whatever role team wants me to perform. If that’s the role the management sees me during Test matches, happy to do that.” He additionally hinted that Sanju Samson, in the intervening time, is being checked out as a possible No. 5 specialist batter.
Having missed motion for the higher a part of 2023 resulting from hamstring harm and subsequent surgical procedure, the Bengaluru man doesn’t need to let go any alternative.
“I want to play as many games as possible for the country. I have missed a lot of games because of injuries and I would like to make most of time and play as many games and perform whatever role is expected of me. That’s not going to change.
“For me, team always comes first. One of the first things taught to us was it’s a team game, however cliched it might sound. You have to be flexible, adjust and adapt.”
“Rinku will get his chance”
The skipper didn’t beat across the bush when requested if Rinku, who boasts of a mean of almost 50 (49.83) and strike-rate of 93 plus from 55 List A video games for UP and Central Zone, will get his maiden ODI cap or not.
“Yeah, I think so,” Rahul replied when requested if Rinku would slot in as No.5 or 6 in future ODI set-up.
“He has shown what a really good player he is. We all knew watching him in IPL that he is very skilled but what’s good to see is temperament he has shown in T20 series, game awareness, calmness under pressure. It was very refreshing for me to see on TV. I just spoke to him about it as well,” Rahul said.
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“In ODI format as well, he has performed across formats in first class cricket and so yes he will get his opportunity in ODI series.” He was equally ecstatic whereas talking about one other rookie batter — opener B Sai Sudharsan, who can also be tipped for senior debut on this sequence — but in addition reminded that each one newcomers may not get a chance to showcase their abilities.
“He (Sai) is very exciting. There are lot of new players in the team, might be difficult to give all of them an opportunity but lot of them will get their opportunities. We have to make sure they are in right frame of mind and do what they have been doing at first-class level. They don’t need to reinvent anything.
“Sai, I have seen a few games in IPL as well. Looks like a terrific batter who plays both pace and spin really well and eager to get his opportunity.”
“Schedule won’t allow every player to play every format”
With multi-format sequence scheduled, nowadays of continuous cricket, Rahul is fairly sure that each one gamers received’t be obtainable on a regular basis.
“It does feel a bit strange. But that’s how the game is going. Schedule is such that not every player can be available for every format,” Rahul stated when requested about Shreyas Iyer being launched for Test match preparation after the opening ODI on Sunday.
“The coach (Rahul Dravid) has bigger responsibility and there is focus on Test series and it gives us an opportunity to take up extra responsibility try and play best cricket. Nothing changes for us. Guys who are all here are all deserving as far as call-up to national team is concerned. I trust each of them as selectors have given them opportunities,” the stand-in skipper stated.
“Template won’t change but tough to replicate Rohit, Virat”
With the 50-over World Cup having concluded final month, ODI is the least precedence amongst codecs and Rahul conceded that whereas the template they set on the world occasion continues, one can’t count on greenhorns to only step in and play like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
“I don’t think a lot will change in terms of how we want to play ODIs but can’t expect a newcomer to go out and play the role of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli played in World Cup. It will be too soon and you have to give them time to adjust and there will be no pressure from my side.” But so far as greater image is worried, it’s nonetheless early days, stated the skipper.
“The focus is on T20 World Cup which is round the corner and there isn’t a lot of cricket left in terms of Indian team, so focus has shifted a little bit,” he admitted.
“Test cricket will always be an important format for our country and having said that we are here as Indian cricket team to compete in ODI series, against really good South Africa team and focus will be on what’s in front of us.”
Source web site: sportstar.thehindu.com
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