ICC World Cup 2019 | A win would be icing on cake, says KL Rahul
KL Rahul has stated that that winning the upcoming World Cup in England and Wales would be an icing on the cake, especially after representing India since the 2010 U-19 World Cup. He may not be a regular in the playing XI but is likely to get few games either as an opener or a middle order batsman.
KL Rahul first represented India at the 2010 Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand before he went on to make his Test debut in December 2014 followed by his limited-overs debut in 2016. This would be the batsman’s first ever World Cup and he sounded excited about India’s prospects.
“To be here after eight years representing my country means the world to me. I’m looking forward to hopefully inspiring billions of people again and to win the World Cup would be the icing on the cake,” he said, reported AFP.
Rohit Sharma and Shikhar will start as the openers for India whereas Virat Kohli will play at his usual number three spot. It is likely that Rahul will play in the middle order but the head coach Ravi Shastri did hint at the skipper shifting to number four a few months ago. The Karnataka batsman might as well even play as an opener if one of the two failed to get going. The side will have a strong playing XI and bench, whatever combination it decides to go with. Rahul remarked that the Indian side is incredible.
“To be part of this team is incredible. It’s not just MS and Virat, there are so many other talented individuals – Rohit and Shikhar and Jasprit , who is the most feared bowler in world cricket right now,” he expressed.
“Hopefully the hard work we have put in over the past two or three years means we can go out there, enjoy ourselves and win the World Cup,” added the right-hander.
Rahul also recalled his memories of India’s 2011 World Cup triumph at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
“When the game was over it was absolute chaos. The roads were blocked, everybody left their homes and was on the road celebrating. It was an unbelievable experience to see so many people forgetting about their worries. Whatever they had going on in their lives, they were just so, so happy India had won the World Cup,” the 27-year-old said.
“It was even bigger because we won it at home in India – it brought billions of people together and brought so much joy. I knew what a World Cup could do to the country, how big it is and how valuable it is to be part of a World Cup dream,” Rahul signed off.
