'Started thinking differently after 2019', Rahul talks about his consistency
Indian batsman KL Rahul believes a prolonged break in 2019 helped him transform as a batsman. Rahul was banned by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for making controversial remarks on the TV show 'Koffee with Karan', last year. However, the 28-year-old came back strongly in the following season, enjoying terrific form across the formats. Here is more on the same.
Rahul's dynamic approach in international cricket
"A lot of credit for my consistent performance goes to how differently I started thinking after 2019. I wanted play for myself, but failed. So I told myself I need to go and do what the team wants me to do," Rahul told India Today.
Rahul fared poorly in 2018-19
In 2018-19, Rahul struggled to deliver consistently across formats. He was under the scanner, owing to his inconsistency. He could muster only 468 runs in 12 Tests at 22.28 with mere a solitary hundred (149 vs ENG). He also scored 324 runs in 13 T20Is runs at 36, including a century. His national spot was at stake in the wake of infamous 'Koffee' fiasco.
Rahul showed signs of improvement in 2019
The following year turned out to be eventful for Rahul. In the Indian Premier League, he was the second highest run-scorer with 593 runs at 53.91. Rahul was also impressive in the 2019 World Cup as he slammed a blistering ton against Sri Lanka. Earlier this year, Rahul replaced Rishabh Pant in the XI and has been India's mainstay wicket-keeper in white-ball cricket.
Rahul in limited-overs cricket since December 2019
Since December 2019, Rahul has racked up 535 runs in nine ODIs at an average of 66.87. His T20I average in the same period reads 54.11. Rahul also finished as the leading run-scorer in the five-match T20I series against New Zealand.
Rahul heaps praise on Rohit Sharma
Rahul lavished praise on fellow opener Rohit Sharma for backing him throughout. "He is someone in the team who has given me the sense that he has a lot of faith in me and as a senior player, I have seen that he has backed me and stood by me on a lot of instances," added Rahul.
