India’s limited overs vice-captain KL Rahul has stated his intentions to keep wickets in
the next three International Cricket Council (ICC) tournaments, although he has
not held any discussions with the team’s management about it yet.

Having
established himself as India’s first-choice wicketkeeper in the limited-overs
formats, ahead of the likes of Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson, Rahul is eyeing the
position for the three upcoming ICC events, two consecutive T20 World Cups and
the ODI World Cup over the next three years.

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His
addition in the team also enables the team to field an extra batsman or bowler.

Speaking to
PTI on Wednesday, Rahul said, “It helps the team combination a little more and
it’s something I would love to do if the opportunity presents itself and I can
keep in three World Cups, I would love to do it for my country.”

In reply to
questions about any discussion with the team management, the 28-year-old said, “Nothing
has been told to me and we are not thinking that far as a team. Obviously,
World Cups are important and that is a long-term vision for every team and
country.”

“I think for me, we are just taking one game at
a time. So if I put up consistent performances with bat and gloves, it gives us
an option of playing an extra bowler or an extra batter,” the Mangalore-born
batsman said.

Rahul has primarily operates
as a middle-order batsman at number five in ODIs, while opening in T20Is and he
admits his position will depend on the format.

“What the team wants
from me and what combination sits better,” he said.

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“Obviously, the last
ODI series (against New Zealand) that we played, I batted at no.5, it’s a role
that I have enjoyed and (I am) happy to play whatever role the team gives me,”
he added.

When asked if he would
be able to emulate former Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, particularly in
the way he handled the spinners, Rahul said, “Look obviously, nobody can fill
MS Dhoni’s place. He has shown us the way and how wicketkeeper-batman role is
performed.”

“With Kuldeep, Yuzi
and Jaddu, we have a decent friendship and obviously I will go and give them a
feedback as to what is a better length if they are doing something wrong and
anybody in wicketkeeper’s role will have that responsibility,” he said about if
he would be able to chide Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Singh the way Dhoni did
to his spinners.

The Kings XI Punjab
(KXIP) skipper also admitted to having enjoyed his role as an opening batsman for
India during the New Zealand tour earlier this year, saying he hopes he could
continue that run.

“I did one series in
New Zealand and quite enjoyed it and hopefully I can be better at reading the
game and give bowlers and captains some good feedback for the bowlers and the
captain.”

His role as
the KXIP captain has also given him an idea about the workload he can expect as
India’s vice-captain.

“I did get
a little bit of a feel with the IPL. I had to play a similar role there. It was
challenging, new, got used to the role and started enjoying it.”

“Yeah,
hopefully I will continue the same over here. When you are playing for the
country, you have 11 of the best skilled guys, great cricket minds all by
themselves and an able and passionate leader like Virat.”

“You look
forward to a new responsibility.”

His role as
the KXIP skipper also taught him how to compartmentalise his responsibilities and
stay focused in the moment.

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“Something,
I learnt from the IPL is how to stay in the moment. While batting think as a
batter and see how I can win the game as batter.”

“As a
keeper, in the last 3-4 seconds, when the bowler is running in, you do not
think as a leader. This is important going ahead for me.”

The 14-day
quarantine here has been challenging, Rahul admitted, and he felt a lot better
when he got together with his teammates for training.

“Challenge
has been being in the room alone. The time you practice, meet teammates, is the
best time in the day. You have fun together. Challenge is mostly when you are
back in the room and all alone.”