KL Rahul’s comeback has been reassuring for Team India. Speaking about his return and the team’s preparations ahead of their ICC ODI World Cup 2023 clash against England at Lucknow's Ekana stadium, KL Rahul said India remain extremely careful not to take the situation lightly in the wake of the defending champions' poor run in the tournament so far. Excerpts:
Q) England remain a demoralized side. When you take on such a side, what are the factors to be cagey about?
KL Rahul: Firstly, we don't think of any opposition that way. Any team on a given day can be dangerous and I am sure you know that there is no team that starts off as a favourite in a game of cricket or in any sport. So, it's important that we keep doing what we've been doing and focus on our strengths.
What is the talk in the dressing room about England?
In all these games so far, we have not spoken too much about the opposition. It's been mostly about focusing on our strengths. Yes, we do a little bit of homework about the opposition and like you said England are the defending champions. Yes, they may not have had a few results going their way but it doesn't change the fact that they are still a very dangerous team and we will not go by what has happened with them in the last few games. We will focus on tomorrow and try to beat them.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have made runs in the last few matches. Besides yourself, no one in the middle-order has made runs. Is this a concern for Team India?
No, I don't think it is a concern. It is a very good thing when your senior players are making runs and are in form. That is what you expect from players like Rohit and Virat.
Whoever has got the chance, they have contributed. I know that big scores have not been made, hundreds have not been scored (by anybody) apart from Virat and Rohit. But that is the challenge for the other guys.
Shubman Gill has scored 50, Shreyas has scored 50, I have been batting (well). When Jadeja got the chance in the last match, he also finished the match. So, everyone is playing their role and responsibility well. Whenever anyone gets a chance, I'm sure they'll put their hands up.
You have made a great comeback after the injury. Tell us how you stop the outside noise as people say a lot about you.
I have put a lot of effort into this. I thought the outside noise wouldn't affect me. But in the last year or so it started affecting me. And then I realized that I would have to work on it. And when I got time, outside of the game, I tried to work on that side. Mentally you got to get a lot more stronger, a lot more thick-skinned. So that really helped me being away from the game.
There are specialist mental coaches that you can use and work on if you feel that it will help. So, I tried a bit of everything.
During IPL you were injured here. And you must have a desire to do something great in Lucknow so that you can rise from that injury. Have you thought about that?
I can't say that it is not in my mind. Yesterday, when I came to the ground, my last memory of this ground was that of falling down and injuring myself. Hopefully, I can put that aside and I can make some better and happier memories to forget all of that.
I am a little sad about that (the injury). The injury kept me out of the game for 4-5 months. That was a tough time. Whoever has an injury has to undergo surgery and to come back, it takes a lot of hard work and patience. In cricket, you can handle success or failure. But doing physio and coming back... That was tough.
India have won all five games chasing. Is there any thought at all that India will have to bat first in a knockout game?
A little bit. Toss is not something that the captain or the team can control. So whatever opportunities we've gotten we've done well but again it will be a great if we get to bat first before the next stage. If we can get to bat first, it'll be a good challenge for us to see how to pace the innings. It will be useful for the team.
India have been undefeated in the tournament so far. What's the one thing different about this side?
I think it's just how we've been really aggressive. And also, our preparations have been really good and very particular. It's been the case at least since I made the comeback during the Asia Cup.
I think the players have gotten enough chances and enough time in their particular role. We've prepared really well. So that's where the confidence is coming from.