Dubai: "I hesitate to express this on camera, but I was extremely anxious towards the end." KL Rahul's candidness is commendable, as athletes are often trained to mask their weaknesses. What is a proven performer if he cannot withstand pressure?

With the toss not favouring India, they were required to chase in four out of five matches during the Champions Trophy. On three occasions, Rahul demonstrated that he was the ideal candidate for challenging situations—scoring 41* against Bangladesh, 42* against Australia, and 34* against New Zealand—proving his ability to remain composed under pressure while batting at the pivotal No. 6 position.

Rahul was alluding to the final moments of the match when he arrived at the crease with India needing 69 runs at just over a run a ball. He may have observed South Africa's collapse against India in the previous year's T20 World Cup final, where they faced a similar scoring rate with less than half the runs required. While an array of strokes can be visually impressive, maintaining composure is a quality that is often undervalued.

"When we discussed KL's batting position, we delved deeply into one aspect—his remarkable calmness while batting. He remains unfazed by pressure. We sought that tranquillity in the middle order," remarked India captain Rohit Sharma.

In direct rivalry with Rishabh Pant, an exceptionally aggressive batsman, Rahul unequivocally demonstrated that he was the optimal selection. “From a young age, my coaches instilled in me that cricket is fundamentally a team sport. It is essential to understand and accept what the team requires from you, and to find ways to deliver performances that align with that. Recognizing your role, your responsibilities, and what it takes to succeed while batting in various positions is crucial,” Rahul stated.

Rahul has previously opened the batting order and later occupied the No. 5 position. To introduce variety to the predominantly right-handed lineup, he opted for the No. 6 spot in this tournament. “This demands extensive preparation and considerable effort beyond the cricket field,” he remarked. “I spend time contemplating how to approach each game and perform under different circumstances. I observe players I admire, particularly those batting at No. 5 and No. 6, to learn from their past successes. My focus has been on watching, learning, and comprehending my role. I am pleased with my ability to contribute effectively.”

Historically, India’s former wicket-keeper batsman was among the finest at guiding the team to victory in tightly contested run chases. Rahul was likely alluding to MS Dhoni in this context. Similar to Dhoni, Rahul’s assessment of DRS calls showcases another dimension of his cricketing intelligence. During the final, India might have avoided losing a review on an lbw appeal against Tom Latham had Rohit heeded Rahul’s advice that Ravindra Jadeja’s delivery was too high.

“Most of the time, it’s an instinctive decision,” Rahul explained. “Fifteen seconds is a very brief period. The bowler invariably believes that every delivery is out, which consumes five seconds. In the remaining ten seconds, we must conclude, while multiple voices are vying for attention. The most challenging aspect is to disregard the opinions of several individuals and provide the captain with a clear perspective of my thoughts.” 

Rahul has often faced scrutiny regarding his T20 performance, particularly concerning his scoring rate, with public criticism from his former IPL team owner widely broadcasted last year.

Read Also: India Head Coach Defends Sunil Chhetri's Retirement U-Turn: ‘The Team Needs Results’

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