I am most comfortable opening the batting

HYDERABAD: KL Rahul was asked to bat in the middle order in ODIS recently and also at No 3 in the recentlyconcluded Nidahas T20 Trophy in Sri Lanka. Cut to

2018 IPL, and the 26-yearold is back to opening the batting for Kings XI Punjab. Rahul talks on his journey so far.

Excerpts

Does opening the batting have a lot to do with your current form?

That’s the position I am most comfortable in. I have opened the batting all my life. I know exactly how to pace my innings when I open the batting. While batting in powerplay, you have so much time. You have the whole 20 overs to yourself. crease. That gives me the best opportunity to get as many runs as I can.

How do you see Ashwin as a captain?

Ashwin has been great with the team. He is someone who is proactive and spends a lot of time with the younger bowlers. He has been clear about what he expects out of the team and that is to be fearless and do as your instincts tell you. He has given the players cushion and freedom.

As a player, are you feeling better than 2016 when you scored close to 400 runs?

That year gave me lot of confidence. Coaches and team members observed that ‘KL Rahul is not only a Test player but he can play all formats.’ That gives you confidence. So, 2016 was revolutionary for me. It was where I discovered my own self. Right now, I am batting a little bit better.