He is the only member in the 17-man Test squad who was part of the Zimbabwe ODI and T20I tour. One would expect KL Rahul, the first Indian to score an ODI century on debut to take some time to adjust to the conditions and the change in format. While Zimbabwe was cold, St. Kitts is hot and humid. The change from white to red ball has not been an issue at all for the elegant right-hander who struck a half-century (retired out on 64) in the three-day practice game at Warner Park. After shooting out West Indies Board President’s XI for 180, Indians made 364 and took a lead of 184 before snapping one wicket in the final over of the day to reduce the hosts to 26/1 on a wicket that had bounce but was slowing down.
The Karnataka batsman had also scored a fifty the first warm-up tie before he retired out. “The purpose of coming here was to get used to the wickets and conditions and I am really happy with the way I’ve batted. It is hot and humid and it is not easy to get runs out there. I tried to use these two innings and the time before the Tests to prepare for the Test series.
“I know the format changes and you get a lot more time here, but we do this all the time. As professional cricketers we need to adapt quickly.
Coming early during the Test series helps. You get into Test mould, spend some time in the middle and adapt and play different roles. We had a camp in Bangalore. We are training hard and the boys are looking in great shape.”
There is tough competition to secure a spot in the playing XI for the first Test, especially in the top-order. Rahul, who kept wickets in the second session on first day said he does not want to get distracted by any of such thoughts and instead is looking to prepare in the best possible way and wait for team management’s decision.
“Look that (team selection) is not in our control. As players, we look to prepare well and whenever an opportunity comes,you need to be prepared to go out there and do well personally and also for your team and play to the roles and responsibilities given. There is still a week to go before the Tests. In next couple days, we will know who is playing or not we will start preparing accordingly. But yeah, not really worried about it. When it comes, it comes and whatever has to happen will happen.”
He felt that India has a strong bowling attack to counter various conditions that the team may face at different venues. “We have three quality spinners and they have been in good form in the Test format and we will be happy if we get turning tracks. We have the firepower in the pace department as well. All of them have been doing well and increased their fitness levels and pace, so it is good to see them bending their back on wickets like these. Getting the ball to carry are good signs.”
