![\"KL](\"https:\/\/indiansportsnews.co.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/KL-Rahul-ICC.jpg\")
KL Rahul insists he\u2019s happy to play in any position \u2013 but he did a stellar job of staking his claim to India\u2019s No.4 slot in Cardiff.<\/p>\nKL Rahul insists he\u2019s happy to play in any position \u2013 but he did a stellar job of staking his claim to India\u2019s No.4 slot in Cardiff.<\/p>\n
India\u2019s top three \u2013 Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli \u2013 seems cast in stone while MS Dhoni anchors the middle order.<\/p>\n
No.4 remains one of the toughest positions in one-day cricket but Rahul\u2019s classy century against Bangladesh in the final ICC Men\u2019s Cricket World Cup 2019 warm-up makes him appear a choice straight from central casting.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m really happy with how I\u2019ve bounced back and this gives me lots of confidence,\u201d said Rahul.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you play at this level you have to handle the pressure and the responsibility. We know we have to be tried and tested.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhere I play is not for me to decide. It\u2019s a team game and you need to be flexible. You need to be ready to bat, whatever you are given, you have to take what is thrown at you.<\/p>\n
\u201cEveryone seems to have great confidence with bat and ball, everyone is in great nick. These matches have been a great opportunity to get used to the 50-over format after coming from the IPL.\u201d<\/p>\n
In his last game Rahul was skittled by New Zealander Trent Boult for just six \u2013 this time around he made no mistake, lifting the pressure on coach Ravi Shastri and captain Kohli as they finalise plans for the opening match against South Africa next Wednesday.<\/p>\n
A classy 108 off 99 balls won\u2019t find its way into the record books \u2013 these matches are not full internationals \u2013 but it certainly won\u2019t mean any less.<\/p>\n
Rahul went big hit for big hit with Dhoni in a 164-run partnership, firing 12 fours and four sixes before his eventual dismissal by Sabbir Rahman.<\/p>\n
\u201cBatting with Dhoni is always a dream for me. I\u2019ve been lucky we have been able to share a few big partnerships over the years,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe just dominated the spinners and is striking the ball so well. It\u2019s a great sign for us and it\u2019s just a pleasure to watch him from the other end when he is playing like that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rahul also insists his time away from the Indian team earlier this year has made him hungrier for success.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt can give a player new perspective, a chance to reflect,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI spent time with friends and family and made the best of the situation. I spent the time working on my batting and technique and understanding how you manage things when your form is not so good. I was just hungry to come back and score runs.\u201d<\/p>\n
Courtesy: www.icc-cricket.com<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
KL Rahul insists he\u2019s happy to play in any position \u2013 but he did a stellar job of staking his claim to India\u2019s No.4 slot in Cardiff.<\/p>\n
India\u2019s top three \u2013 Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli \u2013 seems cast in stone while MS Dhoni anchors the middle order.<\/p>\n
No.4 remains one of the toughest positions in one-day cricket but Rahul\u2019s classy century against Bangladesh in the final ICC Men\u2019s Cricket World Cup 2019 warm-up makes him appear a choice straight from central casting.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":36716,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":true,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[67],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-36717","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-cricket-cricket"],"yoast_head":"\n