In the upcoming ODI World Cup 2023, India is set to face England, the defending champions, at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium on Sunday, 29 October. India, currently the only unbeaten team in the tournament, will be looking to maintain their winning streak.
The stadium holds significance for Indian batsman KL Rahul, who had suffered an injury while fielding at the same venue during the Indian Premier League 2023, leading to several months away from the game. When asked about his injury in a pre-match press conference, Rahul mentioned that he couldn't help but have it in the back of his mind.
"I am trying to forget; you are reminding me again and again," KL Rahul had a wry smile when he was asked about his injury in the pre-match press conference in Lucknow.
"I can't say that it is not in my mind. Yesterday when I came to the ground, last memory of this ground is that - falling down and injuring myself. Hopefully, I can put that aside and I can make some better and happier memories to forget all of that.
"The injury that I had, it kept me out of the game for 4-5 months. That was a tough time. Whoever has an injury, if you ask anyone - they undergo surgery and to come back, it takes a lot of hard work, a lot of patience and you have to go through that which is not very easy," the batter further added.
Despite the challenges of his injury and surgery, Rahul made a sensational return to the side, scoring a century against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 203.
"In cricket, whatever ups and downs happen, sometimes you score 100, sometimes you don't, that success or failure you can handle but this painful time that is there, doing physio and coming back into cricket. That was tough," said Rahul.
Reflecting on his journey, Rahul acknowledged that he can handle an off day on the field but working towards regaining fitness after his surgery was a tough process. He also revealed that to maintain focus and stay away from outside noise, he has chosen not to be active on social media.
"There are specialists, batting specialists, bowling specialists, there are specialist mental coaches that you can really use and work on if you feel that it will help. So, I tried a bit of everything," Rahul said.
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