IND vs SL 2023: No.5 has helped me understand my game better and that’s where Rohit wants me to bat – KL Rahul

India’s wicket-keeper batter KL Rahul has revealed the number five batting position has helped him understand his game better and also revealed that it’s the spot where Rohit Sharma wants him to bat. India found itself in a tricky situation at 62-3 when KL Rahul joined forces with Shreyas Iyer while chasing a modest total of 216 runs against Sri Lanka at Eden Gardens, Kolkata on Thursday.

The home team was soon reduced to 86-4 after Shreyas Iyer was plumbed in front by Kasun Rajitha. However, Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul took their time in the middle and added a crucial alliance of 75 runs off 119 balls to help their team get back into the contest.

Rahul scored a gritty knock of 64 runs off 103 balls and played according to the match situation to help his team get over the line. The flamboyant batter has been under the pump in the recent past for his ordinary performances but he was able to make the most of his experience in the tough situation.

Speaking on his mindset to bat at number five despite opening in Tests and T20Is, Rahul said after the game while talking to the home broadcaster, Star Sports, “One thing I really enjoy is that you don’t rush back to bat (compared to the role of an opener). You can put your feet up, have a shower, have a good meal and react to the situation. If the team requires me to bat at a certain strike rate I try and do it to the best of my ability. More often than not just trying and do the job the team wants has been my mindset. At No. 5 you will be facing spin, I like the ball coming onto the bat. Ro (Rohit) is pretty clear that’s where he wants me to bat (No. 5) and conveyed that to me.”

Rahul must have added a shot in his arm after playing the match-winning innings and he would want to continue the good show. The wicket-keeper bat feels the bowlers did a fine job to skittle out Sri Lanka at 215 and there was no scoreboard pressure.

He added, “I won’t say it was a flat wicket, but I can’t say it was impossible to bat as well. It was quite a sporty wicket. When we started I thought it was a 280-300 wicket. It wasn’t moving much, spongy bounce, apart from that there was not much. We bowled really well to bowl them get out for 215. Again the start was brisk from the openers. They (Sri Lanka) put up a good fight. Got the early breakthroughs and put us under pressure. Challenging game, we can be proud of the way we fought.”

Rahul concluded by saying that he tried to play according to the match situation and the team’s demands.

He said, “We were batting first in Guwahati and the wicket was really good. We were trying to get the extra 20-25 runs, so no matter who the bowler is, you are looking to attack and things tend to happen. When I went in to bat last game we were in a comfortable position. We lost 4 wickets today, so it was important to soak in the pressure and ensure their main bowlers don’t get into the game early. We didn’t need to attack today.”

The third ODI between India and Sri Lanka will be played at the Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday.