Lokesh Rahul happy to enjoy confidence of skipper Kohli

Tags: India tour of Sri Lanka 2017, India, Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka v India 2nd Test at Galle, Aug 03-07, 2017, Kannaur Lokesh Rahul, Virat Kohli

Published on: Aug 04, 2017

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ndian opener KL Rahul, who made a comeback into the team following an injury lay-off, said that captain Virat Kohli’s backing has been a big difference to him.

ndian opener KL Rahul, who made a comeback into the team following an injury lay-off, said that captain Virat Kohli’s backing has been a big difference to him.

After a shoulder injury and viral fever, Rahul returned to the team with 57 before being run-out owing to a mix-up with Cheteshwar Pujara on Day 1 at Colombo.

Speaking about the support he has received from Kohli, Rahul was quoted as saying in an Indian Express report, “It makes a massive difference. It gives me so much confidence, not just now but even after the surgery the support staff, the coaches, the boys were constantly messaging me and saying ‘whenever you are ready, get ready sooner, the team misses you’ and small things like that make a lot of difference.”

He added, “That kept me motivated, that woke me up each morning to go to physiotherapy and do my boring rehab. It gives you confidence that team is backing you, team trusts you, waiting for you to come back into the team and that makes a big difference and I come back with lot more confidence.”

On the number of injuries, he has endured during his career, he added, “We as sportsmen, we’re not used to just sitting at home and being at home all day. We want to go out, we want to play sport, we want to be in the gym, want to train, we want to hit balls, and when you’re not physically able to do that, it’s really tough. It starts playing on the mind a lot more.”

--By A Cricket Correspondent

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