KL Rahul isn’t chucking the large gloves away in ODIs anytime quickly and made it clear that he wouldn’t thoughts standing behind the stumps when the ‘Boxing Day’ Check towards South Africa comes calling in simply over every week’s time.
Main the ODI staff after common skipper Rohit Sharma took a break from the white ball leg of the South Africa tour, the trendy right-hander additionally gave sufficient hints that Rinku Singh is all set to be rewarded with an ODI debut after displaying spectacular approach, sound temperament and commendable recreation consciousness within the T20 collection.
Requested whether or not he’ll preserve wickets within the ODI collection beginning on Sunday, Rahul answered in affirmative. “Sure, I’ll I be maintaining wickets and batting within the middle-order and after that I’d be completely happy to maintain wickets in Check matches,” Rahul informed mediapersons in the course of the pre-series interplay.
“I’ve all the time been open to doing new roles and accepting no matter position staff needs me to carry out. If that’s the position the administration sees me throughout Check matches, completely happy to try this.” He additionally hinted that Sanju Samson, in the intervening time, is being checked out as a possible No. 5 specialist batter.
Having missed motion for the higher a part of 2023 attributable to hamstring harm and subsequent surgical procedure, the Bengaluru man doesn’t wish to let go any alternative.
“I wish to play as many video games as doable for the nation. I’ve missed a whole lot of video games due to accidents and I wish to make most of time and play as many video games and carry out no matter position is predicted of me. That’s not going to alter.
“For me, staff all the time comes first. One of many first issues taught to us was it’s a staff recreation, nevertheless cliched it’d sound. It’s a must to be versatile, modify and adapt.”
“Rinku will get his probability”
The skipper didn’t beat across the bush when requested if Rinku, who boasts of a median of almost 50 (49.83) and strike-rate of 93 plus from 55 Record A video games for UP and Central Zone, will get his maiden ODI cap or not.
“Yeah, I believe so,” Rahul replied when requested if Rinku would slot in as No.5 or 6 in future ODI set-up.
“He has proven what a very good participant he’s. All of us knew watching him in IPL that he’s very expert however what’s good to see is temperament he has proven in T20 collection, recreation consciousness, calmness beneath stress. It was very refreshing for me to see on TV. I simply spoke to him about it as nicely,” Rahul said.
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“In ODI format as nicely, he has carried out throughout codecs in first-class cricket and so sure he’ll get his alternative in ODI collection.” He was equally ecstatic whereas talking about one other rookie batter — opener B Sai Sudharsan, who can also be tipped for senior debut on this collection — but in addition reminded that every one newcomers may not get a possibility to showcase their expertise.
“He (Sai) may be very thrilling. There are lot of recent gamers within the staff, could be troublesome to provide all of them a possibility however lot of them will get their alternatives. We have now to ensure they’re in proper way of thinking and do what they’ve been doing at first-class stage. They don’t must reinvent something.
“Sai, I’ve seen a number of video games in IPL as nicely. Appears like a terrific batter who performs each tempo and spin rather well and wanting to get his alternative.”
“Schedule gained’t enable each participant to play each format”
With multi-format collection scheduled, these days of continuous cricket, Rahul is fairly sure that every one gamers gained’t be accessible on a regular basis.
“It does really feel a bit unusual. However that’s how the sport goes. Schedule is such that not each participant might be accessible for each format,” Rahul mentioned when requested about Shreyas Iyer being launched for Check match preparation after the opening ODI on Sunday.
“The coach (Rahul Dravid) has larger accountability and there may be concentrate on Check collection and it provides us a possibility to take up additional accountability try to play greatest cricket. Nothing modifications for us. Guys who’re all listed below are all deserving so far as call-up to nationwide staff is worried. I belief every of them as selectors have given them alternatives,” the stand-in skipper mentioned.
“Template gained’t change however robust to copy Rohit, Virat”
With the 50-over World Cup having concluded final month, ODI is the least precedence amongst codecs and Rahul conceded that whereas the template they set on the international occasion continues, one can’t count on greenhorns to only step in and play like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
“I don’t assume quite a bit will change by way of how we wish to play ODIs however can’t count on a newcomer to exit and play the position of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli performed in World Cup. Will probably be too quickly and it’s important to give them time to regulate and there shall be no stress from my aspect.” However so far as larger image is worried, it’s nonetheless early days, mentioned the skipper.
“The main target is on T20 World Cup which is not far away and there isn’t a whole lot of cricket left by way of Indian staff, so focus has shifted a bit bit,” he admitted.
“Check cricket will all the time be an essential format for our nation and having mentioned that we’re right here as Indian cricket staff to compete in ODI collection, towards actually good South Africa staff and focus shall be on what’s in entrance of us.”