India’s wicket-keeper bat KL Rahul feels the most important thing to do in big finals is to hold one’s composure. The Men in Blue registered a four-wicket win against New Zealand in the summit clash of the Champions Trophy at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai on Sunday.
Once again, Rahul played a key hand, scoring 34 runs off 33 balls to add the finishing touches with Hardik Pandya and took India over the line. Rahul had also scored an imperative knock of 42 runs off 34 balls in the semifinal against Australia and he was able to once again prove his mettle.
Rahul admitted he was feeling nervous towards the end but at the same time, he was confident to get the job done for his team. The flamboyant batter scored one four and a six in his knock and delivered when it mattered the most.
The Karnataka batter was delighted to play a key role in the team’s historic win.
He said after the win, “I don’t think I can say this on camera, but I was s****ing myself at the end. But we still had a couple of batters to come, so I was confident that we could get over the line. But in moments like this and big games, it’s more about holding your composure, which we all know about. Yeah, happy to win this and happy to get over the line this time.”
He added, “I think I’ve batted in times like this in three out of the five games. And one of the games. I didn’t get to bat at all against Pakistan. So, yeah, the game’s given me good time in the middle and good time to prepare for a big moment like this.”
Rahul credited the BCCI and the domestic structure for giving them the right platform and opportunities at the top level.
Rahul concluded, “It’s hard to put in words. But, yeah, it’s just pure skill and the way we’ve all played our cricket growing up. And, you know, where we’ve had to face a lot of challenges, we’ve had to face pressure from the time we held the bat and from the time we decided to be professional cricketers. So, I think it’s just the first class cricket, BCCI, how they’ve groomed every player, every talented player that comes around and giving us opportunities and platform to showcase our skills and to put ourselves under pressure and keep challenging ourselves and getting better. I think it all comes down to that.”
Rahul will play for Delhi Capitals in the upcoming IPL.
