KL Rahul looking forward to return stronger and fitter

Indian opening batsman KL Rahul contributed hugely in IPL 2016 for his side Royal Challengers Bangalore which saw them march into the finals of the lucrative tournament. Rahul proved his mettle in the shorter format of the game in outstanding fashion using the IPL as a launchpad. But this season has been a completely different story for the men in red with the absence of KL Rahul from the whole tournament.

The reason for missing out roots back to team India’s home series against Australia which took place earlier this year. The 25-year-old batsman picked up a shoulder injury during the series which forced him to the sidelines throughout the iconic 10^th edition of the IPL. Misery piled upon the Karnataka cricketer when he was also ruled out of the approaching ICC Champions Trophy as he failed to recover in time for the mega tournament.

KL Rahul has slowly started preparing for his comeback instead of sulking over the missed opportunities due to his injury. The elegant player who became the youngest and quickest batsman to score a ton in all three formats of the game hopes to come back with a bang and aims at being fitter and stronger.

The interview:

In an exclusive interview with the TOI, when asked about what has changed for him from the 2016 IPL season, Rahul said “It all started with the move from Hyderabad to RCB. I felt more comfortable here because this is where it all started for me. I played for RCB first. I learnt so many things from the coaching staff and players and went back to playing the Ranji Trophy a better player. I learnt a lot about batting, discipline and fitness. I gained in confidence, the following year I got 1000 runs (2013-14 Ranji season). A lot of credit goes to the Sunrisers Hyderabad and their coaching staff as well. The good run I’ve had here is because of the work they put in with me when I was there.

Rahul also pointed out the fact that sharing the dressing room with the legends of the game for different countries helps you mature as a cricketer. There is a lot to learn from them and IPL provides that opportunity says the batsman.

“IPL helps you grow faster. You get to interact with so many legends and people who are successful. You get to see what they do, what they are thinking and how they’ve changed their cricket. Those are things I would’ve otherwise learnt in maybe three-four years, but two months in an IPL dressing room speeds it all up.”

Speaking of his injury, the tattooed cricketer mentioned that it is a tough job to recover back from injury and start fluently straightaway.

“I realised last year that it’s very hard to come back from injury and to get going straightaway. Even in the England series (last year), I felt I was ready but once I went in the middle (having got a 100 in the Ranji Trophy with ease), I realised but playing international cricket is completely different. The pressure is different. As an opening batsman in Test matches, you forget. I was a little hesitant about where my off-stump was for the first couple of games. It took 2-3 Test matches and then I did well in Chennai (against Australia). I don’t want that to keep happening because it won’t help the team or myself.” added the composed batsman.