Credits: BCCI/X
After an impressive performance in Perth, KL Rahul is still apprehensive about his position in the team, as regular skipper and opener Rohit Sharma is set to play the second game. During the press conference ahead of the pink-ball Test between India and Australia in Adelaide in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy, KL Rahul opened up about his batting position, claiming he knows it, but asked not to reveal it.
Rahul spoke about how comfortable he is batting in various positions in the lineup. Rahul stated that all he wanted was to be a member of the Indian Test team's playing XI and that he was willing to bat in any position. "I have been told (where I would bat), but I have also been told not to share it with you," Rahul told reporters with a big smile.
Told early that I might get a chance to open the innings: KL Rahul on his Perth Test opening innings
The right-hander presented his amazing batting skills in the second innings of the Perth Test match alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal, putting on a partnership of 200+ runs, the first by any Indian opening duo. During the press conference, Rahul stated that the Indian team management informed him that he might open the Perth Test match early.
"I was told quite early that I will be opening. I did not play the whole New Zealand series, didn't play the last two games. and I was told fairly early that I might get a chance to open the innings. I have enough time to prepare. It is something that I have done for a long time in my career. I just had to go back and practice a bit more. so, I knew how I was going to get my runs and what processes I needed to follow. It helped me that I played a few practice games here. I opened for India A," Rahul said.
KL Rahul shows major interest to join playing XI
KL Rahul has batted at five different positions for India in Test cricket. Besides the two opening slots, Rahul batted at No. 3, No. 4, and No. 6. He showed his interest towards his participation in the XI squad. He mentioned that he just wants to be in playing XI team, go out and play for the team. He further said that he has overcome the challenge of facing the first few balls while opening the match.
“Early on, when I was asked to bat at different positions, it was a bit of a challenge mentally. How to play those first 20-25 balls? how early can I attack? Those things were a problem earlier, but it has gotten easy with the experience of playing in different formats," KL Rahl said. The next Test match between India and Australia starts on December 6 at Adelaide Oval and will be a Day-Night game. India is leading with 1-0 in the ongoing five-match Test series.
