2019 suspension changed my thought process, made me a consistent performer – KL Rahul

It is well known that we learn from our mistakes and get better in our life. The 2019 suspension due to controversial comments on a Coffee show was no doubt the nadir point of KL Rahul’s career. However, there were lessons to be taken and Rahul was able to improve himself after the ban.

The Karnataka batsman went back to play for India A and he was able to look back at his mistakes. Rahul feels that the suspension changed his thought process and helped him become a consistent performer.

The right-hander worked hard on his game and then made a roaring comeback into the International level. The flamboyant has now grabbed his chances in the limited-overs format and he is now the team’s first choice wicket-keeper.

Rahul was at his best in the series against New Zealand and delivered the goods with the bat. The right-hander scored 201 runs in three-match ODI series and scored 224 runs in the five-match T20I series. Furthermore, he has done a decent job behind the stumps and thus Rishabh Pant is left out of the final XI.

In fact, Rahul revealed that he was being selfish when he made a comeback after his suspension but then realised that he has to play according to team’s needs.

“A lot of credit for my consistent performance goes to how differently I started thinking after 2019. With this suspension and with all that happened, I was tempted or I was in a way wanting to be selfish and play for myself, and I failed. So I told myself I need to go out and do what the team wants me to do,” Rahul told ‘India Today’.

Rahul added that the suspension made him realise that he has 11 to 12 years left in his career and it is best that he gives his all while playing for the team.

“We all know our careers are not too long and I realised after 2019 that I probably have a good 12 or 11 years left in me and I need to dedicate all my time and energy towards becoming a player and team man,” Rahul added.

On the other hand, KL Rahul also gave credit to India’s white-ball vice-captain Rohit Sharma for showing faith in him. Rahul added he is a huge fan of Rohit Sharma’s batting as he is so pleasing to the eye.

Meanwhile, KL Rahul has been brilliant for the team in the last few months and he would like to continue his good form going. In fact, he has done a fine job in T20Is which has helped him to open the innings with Rohit Sharma in place of Shikhar Dhawan.

The stylish batsman has thus far scored 1239 runs in 32 ODI matches at an impressive average of 47.65. The right-hander has produced even better numbers in the T20I format as he has scored 1461 runs in 41 T20Is at an average of 45.66 and a blistering strike rate 146.1.