ICC World Cup 2019 | Top order needs to convert their starts into big knocks, says KL Rahul

Promoted to open the batting after the injury to Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul has made good starts in all three innings. He put together a well compiled fifty against Pakistan, made a decent 30 and 48 against Afghanistan and West Indies respectively. However, the stylish right-hander has struggled to push deeper for the big score. 

“A bit disappointing. After doing the hard work, getting through the first 10 or 15 overs, get the first 25 to 30 runs, to do that, and when the time comes to accelerate not been able to do that is disappointing. But, I will sit and assess it, but won’t worry too much as there are a lot of things I’m doing right,” said Rahul in the post-match press conference, reported Cricbuzz.

Rahul reckons that the conversion of starts is the one area the Indian top four can improve on. India have posted in excess of 220 twice, without any of the top four getting 100s. However, Rahul is confident that the batters will adapt to whatever conditions are set before them, despite the slower starts. 

"We have that kind of confidence in the batting unit. So we don't mind taking that little extra time. If we go to the next game, there might be a bit of movement, might be overcast. So we need to be flexible in our minds," Rahul said at the press conference, reported TOI.

India, and their next opponents, England came into the tournament as favourites to lift the trophy at the end, but their fortunes have been quite different. Going into the game at Edgbaston on Sunday, the hosts are facing a must-win scenario, while India have almost sealed their semifinal spot. And Rahul feels that if India play at their best, they should end up winning, and pushing England to the brink of elimination. 

"If we play the best cricket, and if we play the kind of cricket that we've been playing in the last four or five games, we'll end up most probably on the winning side. Individually and as a team, we're focused on getting our plans right, executing our skills right. Hopefully, the confidence and the momentum that we have we can carry that to Birmingham,” Rahul added.