"It is something that is very exciting.." KL Rahul ready to step into leadership role against South Africa

KL Rahul will lead in the ODI series against South Africa.

KL Rahul is all set to captain India in the three-match ODI series against South Africa. With Shubman Gill being ruled out due to a neck injury, and vice-captain Shreyas Iyer getting ruled out due to his injury, the responsibility to lead India has fallen on Rahul’s shoulders.

It is not the first time Rahul will be leading India in ODI cricket. The 33-year-old has previously captained India in 12 ODIs. He has led India to victory in eight of those matches while falling short in the remaining four.

“I look forward to enjoying that responsibility”

KL Rahul has made it evident that he does not shy away from responsibility, and any job that comes his way, he is prepared to do.

“I have captained the side before. It is something that is very exciting. I look forward to enjoying that responsibility. I have always enjoyed responsibility, making the right decisions for the team. That’s about it. I don’t think too much about it,” said Rahul ahead of the first ODI against South Africa.

The right-hander, while addressing the press conference, said that “Just a day before the announcement, I was told that the opportunity might come and I might have to lead.”

Also Read: IND vs SA: India bowling coach Morne Morkel provides update on Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer’s fitness ahead of the ODI series

Rahul believes senior players are important

There has been a lot of chatter about the role of senior players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. With both of them only playing one format, reservations have been shown about their future.

Talking about the role of senior players in the team, KL said, “I obviously have Rohit [Sharma], Virat [Kohli], Jaddu [Ravindra Jadeja], all the senior players around me who will help out.”

“How we have all played our cricket is to think of it as we are all leaders and we try and do the best for the team. That continues whether I am captain or someone else is captain. It is always a collective effort to doing something in the direction of a bigger goal,” Rahul stated, focusing on collective responsibility.

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