IPL 2020: KL Rahul shares his COVID-19 lockdown nightmares

IPL 2020: KL Rahul shares his COVID-19 lockdown nightmares

WhatsApp Image 2020 08 24 at 2.51.00 PM

KL-Rahul-IPL
KL Rahul would be captaining an IPL franchise (Kings XI Punjab) for the first time in his career

Seen last in action during the New Zealand tour where India suffered defeats in ODI and Tests, KL Rahul is set to embrace the field in the much-awaited IPL 2020. Going to contest against South Africa in a series. Which was eventually called off in the wake of Coronavirus. KL Rahul along with all Indian players were confined to their homes amid the pandemic. 

Rahul is all set to lead Kings XI Punjab in this year’s IPL. The skipper revealed that he had nightmares about losing his batting ability during the lockdown timeframe. But ever since he had started hitting the cricketing nets post lockdown, he has started feeling better.  

“Couple of nights, I had nightmares. I woke up with the feeling, ‘oh s**t, what if I can’t pick line and length of the ball? What if I become slower? What if I don’t have the same cover drive as before?’ All these question marks were there,” Rahul told Indian Express in an interview. 

He feared that these nightmares had turned into reality when he batted badly. But after three session he started to get into his rhythm.   

Rahul being prominent choice over Pant 

KL Rahul (left) and Rishabh Pant

Over the past one year, KL Rahul has firmly cemented his place behind the stumps, ahead of Rishabh Pant. With consistent performances with the bat and also behind the stumps, Rahul is now considered to be the first choice in the limited overs. 

28-year-old Rahul also said that he is ready to mould in any role according to the Indian side’s needs. He also mentioned that he loves wicketkeeping and it’s a good place to be in the middle to get an idea about what’s happening on the field. 

“Yes, I will love to do wicketkeeping. We have so many options of wicketkeeper-batsmen if I feel I need more time or need to be on the field to manage. Standing behind the stumps is a good way to do it as one gets a full 360-degree view, it’s easy to know what is happening. It’s a good place to be,” said KL Rahul. 

Captaining a franchise for the first time, Rahul will be expected to lead from the front from behind the stumps.

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