Ban by BCCI has made me more humble: Rahul
BENGALURU: KL Rahul admitted that being away from the team has helped him become humble and grow both on the personal and professional front over the last couple of months.
Rahul was sent back from Australia during India’s tour in a disciplinary action after he and Hardik Pandya had made a few inappropriate comments about women on a television show.
“It has humbled me a little bit. I obviously respect the opportunity I have got to play for the country. It is the dream of every kid and I am no different. Just to value where I am and keep making the opportunities count, put my head down and keep working on my cricket,” he said on being asked how the recent controversy affected him.
Rahul, who fell short of a deserved half-century at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, had given India a perfect platform to pile on a mammoth total, smashing 47 off just 26 deliveries. India had set a 191-run target but a gem of a knock from Glenn Maxwell swung the match in favour of Australia helping them chase it down with two balls to spare.
Rahul heaped praise on the centurion saying that while it was difficult to bowl second owing to wet outfield and dew, it should take nothing away from Maxwell who blitzed his way to 113 off 55 deliveries.
“In the second innings, dew always has an effect. We have seen that in Chinnaswamy. But can’t take (away) credit from Maxwell. He played a very good innings. Our bowlers tried their best but with a wet ball, it was always hard,” he said.
“We know what a strong player Maxwell is. He can play all around the park and it was a special knock. If he carries on the same way into the ODIs, we will have to figure a way to get him out.”
He also lauded Rahul Dravid for helping him get back to form but admitted that despite batting well, he would have liked to play deeper in the innings and turn the starts into big knocks. Rahul was part of five games for India A against England Lions and scored 89 and 81 in the last two games before scoring a half-century in the first T20.
“I got to play some India A games and some where the pressure is a little less so that I can focus on my skill and technique. I spent time with Rahul Dravid, working on my game and chatting about cricket.” Meanwhile, Rahul gained four places to reach sixth position in the ICC T20I player rankings. Virat Kohli gained two places to reach 17th and MS Dhoni, seven places to 56th.