India vs Australia 2020-21: What does Australia tour mean for KL Rahul?

India are touring Australia for series across formats. Meanwhile, KL Rahul would be the vice-captain for the tour, after regular VC, Rohit Sharma, missing out due to injury. Nonetheless, Rahul is looking to make the most of the opportunity, as he eyes a few World Cups hereon.

Ayush Gupta

Sydney NSW, First Published Nov 25, 2020, 6:31 PM IST | Last Updated Nov 25, 2020, 6:31 PM IST

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India look set for a gruelling tour of Australia from Friday, which poses numerous challenges for the visitors. Nonetheless, the Indian talents, including new vice-captain KL Rahul, are looking ahead to the tour, to prove their worth, as they would be facing one of the most stringent Australian squads in recent times.

Meanwhile, Rahul has some responsibility on his shoulders, besides regular skipper Virat Kohli. Also, he would be looking to fill up the void at the top-order, created due to regular vice-captain and opener Rohit Sharma missing out, due to hamstring strain. Being a wicketkeeper as well, he is focusing on the department, as he responded to a few queries by PTI.

On current Indian wicketkeepers
"It helps the team combination a little more and it's something I would love to do...if the opportunity presents itself and I can keep in three World Cups, I would love to do it for my country. I did one series in New Zealand and quite enjoyed it and hopefully, I can be better at reading the game and give bowlers and captains some good feedback for the bowlers and the captain."

On ICC events
"Nothing has been told to me and we are not thinking that far as a team. Obviously, World Cups are important and that is a long-term vision for every team and country. I think for me, we are just taking one game at a time. So, if I put up consistent performances with bat and gloves, it gives us an option of playing an extra bowler or an extra batter."

On his batting position
"What the team wants from me and what combination sits better. Obviously, the last ODI series (against New Zealand) that we played, I batted at no.5, it's a role that I have enjoyed and (I am) happy to play whatever role the team gives me."

On his batting
"I wouldn't call my batting power-hitting, that's something I honestly feel like I have not been able to do or not what I am blessed with. I am blessed with certain skills and I try and play the role I feel the team requires me to play at that particular moment. If that means scoring runs at 160-170 strike-rate, I try to do that to the best of my ability, and if it's the other way around, I will try to do that."

On replicating Dhoni's success as captain
"Look, obviously, nobody can fill MS Dhoni's place. He has shown us the way and how the wicketkeeper-batsman role is performed. With Kuldeep, Yuzi and Jaddu, we have a decent friendship, and obviously, I will go and give them a feedback, as to what is a better length if they are doing something wrong and anybody in wicketkeeper's role will have that responsibility."

"I did get a little bit of a feel with the IPL. I had to play a similar role there. It was challenging, new, got used to the role and started enjoying it. Yeah, hopefully, I will continue the same over here. When you are playing for the country, you have 11 of the bebest-skilleduys, great cricket minds all by themselves and an able and passionate leader like Virat. You look forward to a new responsibility."

On his learnings as captain
"Something, I learnt from the IPL is how to stay in the moment. While batting, I think as a batter and see how I can win the game as batter. As a keeper, in the last three-four seconds, when the bowler is running in, you do not think as a leader. This is important going ahead for me."

On the long international break
"....I have never got a long run like this. So yeah, it feels good that I am contributing to team's win and playing my role pretty well. Happy that I can put up consistent performances. ...I have actually forgotten the last innings I played and scored a hundred in New Zealand (century in Mount Mangnui in February)...it's a fresh start for everybody and like I said, its important for us as a team to start well and enjoy being out there in the middle."