Record-breaking K L Rahul says he wasn't 'feeling in control' of his batting ahead of RCB fixture
Dubai: Kings XI Punjab captain KL Rahul, who made a scintillating century against Royal Challengers Bangalore, said he was lacking in confidence heading into the team's second IPL fixture.
Rahul starred with an unbeaten 132 off 69 balls as KXIP outplayed RCB by 97 runs here on Thursday.
"I have actually been not so confident (hitting it this well). I had a chat with Maxi (Glenn Maxwell) yesterday, he said how are you feeling, I said that I am not feeling completely in control of my batting, he said you must be joking, you are hitting really well," Rahul said at the post-match presentation.
He had already spoken about his fears leading up to the IPL, considering he was coming back after a five-month long break due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Quite honestly I was nervous but I knew if I spend time in the middle, hit a few balls from the middle of bat, it will all settle down.
"I try to do (the same routine as I did when I was a player) but as a captain you have shortened time and you are running around and doing a lot of things," Rahul said.
He is captaining in the IPL for the first time.
"I still try to maintain the same routine. Once I am in the middle and during the toss is the only time I feel like a captain and otherwise I try to balance being a player and the captain," he said.
After Rahul starred with the bat, KXIP bowlers put a disciplined performance to bundle out RCB for 109 in 17 overs.
"It's as complete a team performance as it can get. We had few different plans going into this game.
"We knew RCB have a power packed batting line up and we had to get 2-3 wickets up front and that also meant putting runs on the board, we know what these guys can do if they get set. The analyst, coaches and the management will be happy."
He was all praise for young leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi.
"Something that has impressed me in him (Bishoni's heart of coming back even after an expensive start). I watched the U-19 World Cup. He has a lot of fight in him.
"Every time I throw the ball he wants to do well, he was a little nervous bowling at guys like Finchy and AB, once he got through that he did well," added Rahul.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Iran’s Fars reports missiles hit US warship near Hormuz after it ignored warnings from IRGC
Tehran/Washington: Iran’s Fars News Agency has reported that two missiles struck a US Navy vessel near Jask in the Strait of Hormuz, citing local sources.
According to the report, the vessel was hit after it allegedly ignored warnings from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to halt.
There has been no official confirmation from US authorities on the reported incident so far.
The development comes shortly after US President Donald Trump said Washington would begin “Project Freedom” to guide stranded ships through the Strait of Hormuz.
US Central Command said the operation would involve 15,000 military personnel along with more than 100 land- and sea-based aircraft, warships and drones.
Further details about the reported strike and any damage or casualties remain unclear.
