Rahul said that batting at number five has helped me understand my game better.
Senior batsman Lokesh Rahul has indicated that captain Rohit Sharma wants him to be the main batsman of the team at number five, which will improve his batting in the middle overs and also help the wicket-keeper batsman to bat better against spin. Rahul hit an unbeaten 103-ball 64 as India beat Sri Lanka by four wickets in the second ODI here.
Rahul said after the match, “Batting at number five helped me understand my game better. At number five, you have to face spin bowling as soon as you enter the crease. I like the ball to come on the bat but Rohit was clear that he wants me to bat at number five so I am trying to do that. Rahul also likes batting at number five as it gives him wicketkeeping There is time to rest after exercising and they are not in a hurry to put on pads and get out to bat immediately.
He said, “The good thing about batting at number five is that you do not have to rush. You can take a shower, put your feet up and watch the match. But I always think what the team needs from me. If you read the situation and enter the field, it helps you and the team. ”Rahul said that India were initially thinking of chasing a target of 280 to 300 runs as it was a good wicket to bat on .
He credited the hosts’ bowlers for bowling out Sri Lanka for 215 in 39.4 overs. He said, “I would not say that it was a flat wicket or it was helping the bowlers a lot and it was impossible to bat. When Sri Lanka started I thought it was a 280 to 300 wicket but our bowlers bowled really well to restrict them to around 220.
