Stand-in skipper for the first two ODIs of the series against Australia, KL Rahul revealed the conversation with his troops during the Mohali game. After India’s comprehensive 66-run defeat in the third ODI, former Australian cricketer-turned-commentator Mark Waugh asked Rahul how he manages his workload to which Rahul had a witty reply.
“What about the workload personally, you've got to keep wickets, you have got to bat at the top of the order or at No.4 in these conditions. I felt sorry for you in Mohali. I just don't know how you do it. Is it hard to cope with all that in the heat?” Waugh asked.
“I've come back really fresh, I've had a lot of juice in me so no complaints on that front,” said Rahul about he was right then. He then admitted that while he had expected conditions to be easier than it was in Colombo, where India played and won the Asia Cup before the series against Australia, it was tougher than he thought it would be.
“It has been really challenging physically. The weather and conditions in Colombo were what we thought would be the worst we could get but then we turned up in Mohali... I said this after that game as well, I said in the huddle ‘We’ve come from Colombo, this can't be worse.' It is Mohali, it must be pleasant. Three overs later, when Mitch Marsh got out everybody looked at each other and said skip, you've made the worst decision by opting to bowl. It is a good challenge that we get used to it because we will have similar conditions to deal with in the World Cup,” Rahul replied.
Rahul has been in good form since his comeback after a long injury layoff. He scored an unbeaten 111 against Pakistan in the Asia Cup. In the first two ODIs India won, he scored half-centuries. However, he fell prey to Glenn Maxwell in the failed run chase in the Rajkot ODI. The 31-year-old talked about the lengthy injury break and how it gave him time to work on his flaws.
“When you are away from the game for that long you get a lot of time to reflect on yourself, on your batting and technique. All we have done all our lives is play cricket so there is nothing else to think about, nothing keeps you busy. After you finish training we are at home thinking about cricket and how we can get better the time I spent at home helped me understand how I can play my role better. You walk in after a long period with no baggage and you try to enjoy yourself and that is what I have done. Happy that I could get a few good knocks, does a world of good for the confidence,” the Karnataka batter added.
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