'The team has asked me to...''- KL Rahul outlines his new role in ODI Cricket going forward

KL Rahul (Source: Twitter)

India did not start the ODI series against Bangladesh on a winning note as they lost the first ODI by 1 wicket, thanks to an incredible innings by Mehidy Hasan Miraz who scored 38 off 39 balls with four fours and two sixes. This ensured that the Bangla Tigers crossed over the line against the Men in Blue.

For India, the bright spot was KL Rahul as he scored 73 off 70 balls that turned out to be the glue for India and he helped them to get to 186 in 41.2 overs in a very average performance with the bat. Rahul also has spoken about his new part in ODI cricket that he will play. The Karnataka batter also kept wickets for India in the first ODI against Bangladesh.

The Indian management which has Rahul Dravid at the helm has asked Rahul to be "ready to keep wickets and bat in middle-order" in ODI’s in future. The opening batter gave out the details on Sunday. He kept wickets after Rishabh Pant was rested from the ODIs on the advice of the medical staff. Rahul dropped an easy catch of Mehidy Hasan which cost India the match.

I have played this role before: KL Rahul

Here is what he said on his role, "We haven't played a lot of ODIs in last 8-9 months but if you look at 2020-21, I have kept wickets, and I have batted at Nos 4 and 5. This is the role that team has asked me to be ready for in white-ball cricket as I have done it before," Rahul said as quoted by Hindustan Times.

"When it comes to Rishabh, I am not sure to be honest, just found today, that he is going to be released. What the reasons are, medical team will be in a better situation to answer those questions. Rahul replied and gently sidestepped the question related to Rishabh Pant.

"Such innings gives you joy as a batter as you are challenged and you put your hand up when team requires. Ideally, we should have got 40 runs more. I did fancy 230-240 if I batted till end or even if I could have batted till 40th over.". This is what Rahul said about his innings against Bangladesh in the first ODI.