After a terrible patches in Test cricket recently with the Indian team, Kings XI Punjab opener KL Rahul has returned to his favorite format - T20. On Monday, his side will open its IPL campaign against Rajasthan Royals and the right-hand batsman said that he was not thinking about the upcoming World Cup but was focusing on the IPL.
He said, "I just want to focus on the IPL and want to win as many matches as possible for my team. I have not set personal goals, "Rahul said before his match against Rajasthan Royals.
Rahul's opening pair for KXIP, Chris Gayle, is still in great form and the Indian batsman feels that he is one of the best in the T20 format.
Rahul said that as he is growing up, the energy of the West Indian is increasing.
He said, "Gayle is the best T20 batsman ever so far. But he always stays on a mischief and tries to pull my legs. He does not look like a senior player in the dressing room, but in fact he is the youngest youngest mischievous and mischievous player in the dressing room. "Rahul said.
He said, "I have played with Gayle for a long time, we got an opportunity to bat together in RCB for a few years and he considered me a 21 year old boy. I have learned a lot from him. I love his company.
The Indian opener said that like last year, Gayle has come with a lot of energy this time too.
"Every year when he grows up, his energy is becoming more exciting for us. I am looking for greater partnership with Rahul.
Rajasthan Royals captain Ajinkya Rahane said that his team was happy to see Australian batsman Steve Smith returning to the IPL.
He said, 'It is good to come back, but he was always a part of the Royals family. We will take care of our positivity but know that Kings XI Punjab is a good side. Chris Gayle is still a dangerous player and we will not take him lightly.
Coach Paddy Upton said that cricket is quite advanced in all departments except the mental side of the game.
He said, "Cricket is always playing mental. Over the past ten years, we have seen great progress in fitness, bowling strategies, batting matters. Batters are playing such shots that were not played before, players are very fast, we are seeing that most incredible catches are being taken on the boundary, "he said.
"There have been significant changes in all the departments of the game, but perhaps a department which has not advanced as others is a mental aspect of the game. It is the hardest to measure, the hardest to train, the hardest I think it is one of the next important borders we need to know and address. We will try to strengthen the mental side of Royals cricketers. "
