Rahul: Role was to finish the game after Rohit, Kohli fell early

Batsman-wicketkeeper K. L. Rahul attributed the pace of his innings to the conditions and match situation after his unbeaten 57 led India to a seven-wicket win in the second T20I.

Published : Jan 26, 2020 17:34 IST , AUCKLAND

K. L. Rahul shapes up to play the cut shot during his knock of 57 in the second T20I.
K. L. Rahul shapes up to play the cut shot during his knock of 57 in the second T20I.
lightbox-info

K. L. Rahul shapes up to play the cut shot during his knock of 57 in the second T20I.

Indian batsman K. L. Rahul on Sunday said he had to change his approach in the second T20 International due to the slightly slow nature of the pitch at Eden Park here.

Rahul, who had smashed 56 off 27 balls to set up India’s six wicket win in the first T20I, produced an unbeaten 50-ball 57 to anchor the visitor's seven-wicket victory over New Zealand in the second game.

The 27-year-old said he had to make some changes to his game as the pitch was different than the one India played during the opening match.

Read:  Rahul, Iyer secure emphatic win to put tourist 2-0 up

“Obviously different circumstances, the target was different, the pitch was a little different from what we played on a couple of days ago. So I knew I couldn’t play the same way I played a couple days ago,” said Rahul, who was adjudged the Man of the Match.

“I had a different responsibility today. We lost our senior players Rohit and Virat early so I had to stay in there and make sure I finish the game.”

Rahul, who has been in sizzling form in white-ball format, said he has improved in his shot selection and reading of the game.

“I think the understanding of my game and how I’m reading the situation and reading the game has gotten better for me. That’s helped me be more consistent and I’ve always put the team ahead and thought about what the team requires at that moment,” he said.

“More often than not I’ve come up with the right shots and right answers so that’s been the mantra for my success in the last several T20s.”

India will next play New Zealand in the third T20I at Hamilton on January 29.

-V.V.S. Laxman impressed-

Former India batsman V.V.S. Laxman tweeted he was "impressed with the versatility" Rahul displayed. “Over 300 runs for KL Rahul in his last 5 T20 innings. Very impressed with the versatility that he has shown and adapted to different positions and roles. Great support from Shreyas Iyer,” Laxman tweeted.

“But this win was set up by the bowlers who did not let NZ bataman to get away,” he added.

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment