November 15, 2024: Ahead of the much-anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 between India and Australia, KL Rahul, the Indian right-hand batter, shared valuable insights into his approach to the game and the mindset that drives him on the field. With the first Test set to begin on November 22 in Perth, Rahul spoke candidly about how he balances playing his natural game with focusing on the team’s needs.
Rahul stressed the importance of putting the team first, saying, “All of us as players want to play with freedom, and everyone would think that the way I batted, I’m enjoying playing that. But like I said, my thought process and motivation have always been team first. It doesn’t matter what I want to do or what my natural game is.”
Rahul, who has shown his versatility in various batting roles for India, emphasized that in team sports, the primary objective is always the collective goal. “We play a team sport. If I played tennis, it would be different; I could stick to saying, ‘This is my natural game.’ But in a team sport, it’s very different. Each game, you’ll have a different role and responsibility given to you to find a way to deliver for the team,” he added.
The 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar series is shaping up to be a critical contest, with India looking to extend its dominance over Australia in the Test format. Rahul’s philosophy of prioritizing the team’s success over individual performances will be key in India’s quest to defend its recent series victories, including their historic wins in Australia in 2018-19 and 2020-21.
Rahul’s comments reflect his maturity and understanding of the demands of international cricket, where adaptability and flexibility are just as crucial as playing one’s natural game. His willingness to take on different roles, depending on the team’s requirements, is a testament to his team-first mentality—a mindset that has made him an invaluable asset to the Indian team in both domestic and overseas conditions.
As the series approaches, the Indian team will be counting on Rahul to contribute wherever required, whether that be at the top of the order or in the middle, while maintaining his focus on the larger goal of team success.
