Exultant after doing well in his debut ODI series, Indian opener KL Rahul has hit back at all those who branded him a player for the longer version, saying that he has proved them wrong.
"To all those guys who have been branded as Test players before. I want to tell that there will be coaches and players in the dressing room who can tell you that you are not good enough for a certain format. I never thought that they were right. I knew I was blessed with certain skills," Rahul, who scored 196 runs in 3 ODIs with a century and half-century told bcci.Tv.
Asked what will his advice be for those aspiring to play for India, the soft-spoken Mangalore-lad said: "My advice will be to not listen to people. Of course you have to listen to your coaches and elders but you don't have to listen to what they say all the time. You know what's best for your game. Go out there, be yourself and express yourself. And when someone says you can't do something, prove them wrong."
Rahul, who made his debut during the Boxing Day Test against Australia in Melbourne back in 2014, has two Test hundreds against the Aussies and Sri Lanka.
Many thought his copybook technique to be perfectly suited for the longer version before this year's IPL, where he got more than 450 runs.
"I had worked really hard on my game. I worked on my strength and became strong enough so that everytime I hit the ball, it went to the boundary."
This was the first time that Rahul played a full series under Mahendra Singh Dhoni's leadership (he had just played under him during his debut in Melbourne).
The talented Karnataka lad said that standing at slips alongside Dhoni has given him a sneak peek into what goes in 'Captain Cool's' mind.
"Normally I don't speak to him (Dhoni) too much but if I don't understand and ask him, he would explain as to what was his thought process behind moving a fielder or giving someone the ball."
Rahul, who also is a makeshift wicketkeeper, is trying to pick up a few finer points of 'keeping by watching his skipper.
"I was watching as to how he is keeping wickets in these conditions where especially when the ball swings, it starts wobbling as it comes behind the stumps. Also he stands at different positions for different bowlers.
"Like Dhawal (Kulkarni) is a wicket-to-wicket bowler with a nice action while Barinder is a left-armer. Bumrah can be very hard to keep. He always tells me to stick to the basics.
(REOPENS FGN20)
It has been a good summer for Rahul personally, who enjoyed a productive IPL that earned him an ODI call-up.
Then, in Zimbabwe, he scored his maiden hundred and with back-to-back fifties now, is certainly pushing for a spot in the Test eleven, irrespective of what he claims.
"Working my way through different formats has not changed my batting approach much. It is just that the format changes and you get a lot more time in Tests. As professional cricketers we need to adapt," he said.
Rahul said coming early helps to get some match practice and get into the Test mould.
"You are able to spend some time in the middle and adapt to different roles. As for me, I just wanted to keep improving at the highest level, otherwise you get sorted out quickly.
"Earlier in the shorter format, I was not consistent, so I was not getting noticed. But I always believed that I had the game to do it. It was just about consistency," the young opener said.
Asked about the Anil Kumble effect, he replied, "He has always played his cricket with aggressive intent. As a person too, he is a very aggressive personality. To have someone like him, someone who has played in the West Indies and performed very well, to get his feedback about conditions, it is very valuable for us.
"He (Kumble) is doing a wonderful job and has made us all very comfortable in our roles and responsibilities. We are also doing a lot of team activities. It is helping the team bond and we are enjoying each other's company. Obviously it helps to be in the West Indies helps," said Rahul.
"The vibe is relaxed and you want to get on the beach and enjoy. Overall, there is a great atmosphere in the dressing room," Rahul signed off.
