The outbreak of coronavirus has kept KL Rahul and other Indian cricketers away from the field for over five months. However, the cricketers have started the training sessions in the vicinity, but the break was not easy to survive for the wicketkeeper-batsman itself.
Rahul got anxiety attacks during that period and had nightmares about his performances. However, when he first time he stepped into the field, it was altogether a different feeling for him. He was smiling and was in tears, as Rahul reveals in the recent interview.
I was scared: KL Rahul
KL Rahul last played for Team India in the New Zealand tour in February. He was unstoppable during that tour. In the five-match T20I series, he was adjudged with the man of the match award for his prolific batting. Rahul also first time donned the gloves in T20I during that series.
The flamboyant batsman came out as the best finisher in the ODI series against New Zealand. He even scored his first ODI century as a wicketkeeper during that series. Overall, the swashbuckling batsman was at the best form of his career at Kiwi land.
However, after the New Zealand tour, KL Rahul has not got a competitive match. The team was scheduled to play the ODI series against South Africa in March but was called off because of the novel coronavirus.
It’s difficult to explain the feeling: KL Rahul
While talking to TOI, the 28-year-old opened up that he got anxiety issues along with form and fitness during the extended break. He was worried about his performance once the cricket gets back. He was scared that would his form remain the same when he gets back to batting.
“I was scared,” he admitted. “I kept wondering if my skills would remain the same when I returned to the sport. I had nightmares. A couple of times I woke up in the middle of the night because I dreamt I had forgotten how to pick the line and length. It scared the hell out of me. To be honest, when I went back to play the first session, it was horrible because I was rusty.”
However, Rahul forgets all the worries when he stepped on the field for the first time as he resumes training sessions.
“After running on concrete and treadmill for months when you step onto the ground you feel like you’re walking on a cloud. It’s difficult to explain the feeling. I was half in tears, half smiling. In fact, I just couldn’t stop smiling. Just to be able to get out and run on the ground felt so good,” Rahul said.
The IPL 2020 edition in the UAE would be KL Rahul’s maiden stint as the captain. The league is scheduled from 19th September to 10th November.