2016 was a very special year, says KL Rahul
KL Rahul has stated that 2016 was a very special year for him as he went on to debut for India in ODIs and T20s, and also had a breakthrough season in the Indian Premier League. Even in this IPL, the batsman has been in fine form for Kings XI Punjab by amassing 441 runs at a strike rate of 130.
KL Rahul had notched up two Test centuries in ten innings until the start of 2016, but had fared very poorly in all the other things. However, 2016 was a breakthrough year for him as he had 397 runs for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League. He also found a spot in India’s limited overs setup before becoming the first Indian to score a century in all three formats. The Karnataka batsman shared his memories and reckoned this year as a special one for him.
“2016 was a very, very special year. That year, I made it to the ODI team as well as the T20 team. I played all three formats for India in 2016. Also, I scored close to 400 runs in IPL for Royal Challengers Bangalore,” he said in an interview, reported Hindustan Times.
The opener was touted as the next big thing as he had justified his fine technique by amassing runs in all formats. He was then out from the game for a considerable period of time after getting operated for a shoulder injury. His comeback was marred with his inability to convert fifties into hundreds followed by a severe dip in form.
He only scored 52 runs in six ODI innings in 2017, and just one fifty and one hundred across 22 innings in Tests in 2018 and was even left out by RCB. However, he roared back to form by amassing 659 runs in the cash-rich league after being picked up by Kings XI Punjab in 2018. The Bengaluru born batsman feels that mindset, and not technique, plays a role in a player’s success.
“I am not a believer that technique has anything to do with how you play. Maybe sometimes your technique does not help you do well in a few conditions; otherwise, it’s mostly mental preparation, how mentally fresh you are and how much excited you are to play the game. It’s disappointing when you don’t do well, but you have to pick yourself up for the next game,” the 27-year-old asserted.
“There is so much technology right now, so much video footage available for us to watch how other teams are planning, (what) the opposition bowlers are trying to do. But when you step out on the field, it’s a different feel under pressure, and in (those) conditions,” he added.
Rahul has been picked in India’s World Cup squad but has maintained that he is currently only thinking about the ongoing IPL and not about the quadrennial event.
“Look, they are two tournaments, two different formats, so can’t really think about World Cup when you are playing T20 cricket. (But) If I do well here and score a lot of runs, I go into the World Cup with a confident mindset, which is great,” the wicket-keeper batsman said.
The right-hander was the highest run-scorer for his side in the previous season but still failed to get them through the line. He has been better in that aspect this season. And Rahul admitted that he working on it.
“I have won a few more (this season). Last year, I played well, but wasn’t staying not out and finishing games. I took my team closer a few times, but couldn’t get my side over the line. This time I have tried to remain not out till the end,” he declared.
KXIP skipper Ravichandran Ashwin has added a plethora of variations to the arsenal, apart from the traditional off-spin. He has hit the ball well in the two cameos thus far in this season and has also been a street smart captain. Rahul suggested that there is a lot to learn from the Tamil Nadu player.
“A player should always look to improve, like R Ashwin (KXIP skipper). He is learning as a player and captain,” he said.
The side has five wins in 11 games, and will at least need to win two or all of the three remaining matches in order to qualify, and Rahul was positive about the team’s chances.
“Hopefully, together we can help our team notch a couple of wins to qualify for the playoffs,” he signed off.
