Bengaluru: The hard time that he endured in the wake of a chat show controversy has humbled K L Rahul and the Indian batsman says he now values his national cap more than ever.
Rahul and Hardik Pandya were provisionally suspended for their loose comments on women during a popular chat show. Their bans were later revoked pending an inquiry.
The off-field controversy erupted after Rahul endured a dismal run in the four-Test series in Australia but he is back in the national team after finding his feet with the India A side.
“It was a hard time no doubt. I mean, as a player, as a person, everyone has to go through difficult times and it was my time to go through that and like I said, it gave me time to reflect on my game, on myself. I have always been someone who takes things as they come,” said Rahul after the second T20 International.
India lost the short series 0-2 but Rahul made a successful comeback with scores of 47 and 50. After he was sent back from Australia, Rahul was given the opportunity to regain form in the India A home series against England Lions and he made it count.
Asked if the entire controversy has changed him as a person, the 26-year-old said: “It has humbled me a little bit and you know, I respect the opportunity that I have gotten to play for the country. The dream of every kid is to play for the country and I am no different. Just to value where I am, just to keep making opportunities count and put my head down and keep working on my cricket,” said the man from Karnataka.
Rahul said the India A stint under coach Rahul Dravid helped him immensely. “I got some time off from international cricket, so I could come back to India and reflect on what was not going right for me. Fortunately, I got to play some India A games where the pressure is a bit less and where I could focus on my skill and technique,” said Rahul.
“I got to spend a lot of time with Rahul Dravid, working on my game and chatting about cricket. He helped a lot in the five games I played for India A. The time I have spent in the middle has helped. It is nice to be back with the boys and back in blue.” The relief was palpable as he spoke.