Just four One Day International matches old, opener K.L. Rahul is one of the youngest players in Team India. He already has an ODI century and a half century to his name. Yet an early dismissal in Pune during the first ODI match against England has led to a misplaced belief that he is under pressure given the multiple choices skipper Virat Kohli has for the opening slot. The same also goes for his opening partner in the current series Shikhar Dhawan who too got out cheaply at one.
Pressure of low scores is unlikely especially given that the Indian skipper has already made it clear that the team management would not look to experiment in the series given that there are only three matches to play in the series.
Rahul, the boy from Mangalore, has already impressed all with his big run scoring abilities in every format of the game. While he may not be under any pressure even when regular opener Rohit Sharma returns from injury, for now the right hand-left hand opening combination of Rahul-Dhawan is what Kohli finds ideal.
Speaking to the media on the eve of the second ODI, Rahul described the multiple options for opening as good motivation to perform. “I know that there are other guys capable enough to play role given to us. That's what wakes me up in the morning and motivates me to train harder, practice everyday, work harder enough on my skills. I know there are able enough, talented enough guys to take my place. It's a good place for a team to be in. We love the competition. We have never complained of pressure of other guys performing,” he said. “Look it doesn't affect me and I don't think it's a headache for coach or captain. He would love to have these options.”
Rahul has thrived and enjoyed under the team management of Kohli and Anil Kumble. Speaking about Kohli and how he leads from the front, Rahul acknowledged that having a young captain has made it an enjoyable journey for all the players. “ He (Virat) sets the example for us. He has gone out there and done the job so many times. We all look upto him—how he builds innings and the kind of energy passion he brings on the field. He is someone not just looking to have great performance individually but takes the team along with him. We are enjoying playing under him; he is aggressive as captain. Virat has always supported me and others. It's good to have a young leader.”
Rahul brushed aside any worries over England's possible new game plans for Kohli and rest of Indian batsmen. One of the options the visitors could look to use was testing the Indian batsmen with short balls especially the Indian skipper. “He has had so many runs under him, if you see last time, lot of runs came off short bowling. We are not worried about short ball, we like to get runs off them. I don't think it's going to worry him at all, with so many centuries and runs behind him.”
The Indian team landed in Cuttack a day before the second match and trained under lights at the Barabati Stadium.
