India’s opening batter KL Rahul is all set to lead the team in the upcoming three-match ODI series against South Africa.
Rahul’s cricketing career has changed significantly in the last six months and he has made a fine comeback into the Test team. Rahul also led India in the second Test match at the Wanderers against South Africa but the team went on to lose that game by seven wickets.
In fact, Rahul has led Punjab Kings in the last two seasons of the Indian Premier League but the franchise failed to qualify to the playoff stages. Rahul is still in the nascent stages of his career as a leader and he feels he will make a few mistakes along the way and learn from them. The flamboyant batter has also had the experience of playing under the leadership of MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli and he stated he has learned a lot from the duo.
In fact, Rahul’s captaincy had looked a bit cagey in the second Test match against the Proteas but the right-handed batter will have another opportunity to prove his mettle as a leader in the upcoming ODI series.
During the pre-match press conference, the 29-year old said, “I think I take every game as it comes. I am not really someone who gets worried or gets too happy. I stay balanced with the results, there were a lot of learnings from the Johannesburg Test.
“I have learned a lot from both MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli, I am human, I will make mistakes along the way but I will learn and get better. That’s where my mind is at. The ODI series is a fresh start and it is a great opportunity for me to lead the side,” Rahul further said.
With Rohit Sharma not being part of the team due to his hamstring injury, Rahul confirmed that he will open the innings in the three-match series.
The stylish batter also hinted either Ravichandran Ashwin or Yuzvendra Chahal can be part of the team’s playing XI as there might not be a lot of help for the spinners.
“We have quality spinners, Ashwin has come back into the team and we know what quality he brings. Chahal has been doing well, hence they become really important for us,” he said.
The first ODI between South Africa and India will be played on Wednesday.
