Sri Lanka vs India 2017: The Seniors in the Team are Abusing Youngsters like Me, Jokes KL Rahul
Aug 17, 2017 at 4:28 PM
The latest round of interviews on bcci.tv saw two personalities of contrasting nature coming together, as the calm and composed Cheteshwar Pujara interviewing the flamboyant KL Rahul and not surprisingly the result was hilarious.
The mood in the Indian camp has been very upbeat after yet another series victory, as Virat Kohli & Co. thrashed Sri Lanka by an innings and 171 runs in the third and final Tests to sweep the three-match series 3-0.
Pujara and Rahul were two of the chief architects of the thumping series win in the Island nation. Pujara, who was India’s highest run-scorer during the mammoth 2016-17 home series, scored two centuries in the first two Tests while Rahul, who missed the series-opener at Galle due to viral fever, continued his streak of scoring half-centuries, as he scored two more in as many innings to make it eight half-centuries on the trot.
With the series wrapped up on the best-possible note, the duo then donned the role of the interviewer and the interviewee. But to everyone’s surprise, it was Pujara who asked some absolute hilarious questions and as expected Rahul came up with equally amusing answers.
The Saurashtra star began with calling Rahul his new ‘FIFA partner’ while Rahul revealed how Pujara asked him to improve skills and score a double-century before his 26th birthday. Rahul, who was dismissed on 199 last year against England, hoped to score his first double century soon.
After that, Pujara bombarded Rahul with some funny questions, as he took a dig at the latter’s constant injuries. In reply, the Karnataka star said he held Pujara responsible for his injury woes as India’s number 3 batsman “doesn’t share the short-leg duties with him now”. Rahul went on to say that the seniors in the team are abusing the youngster.
Pujara: Whenever I visit NCA nowadays, I see only one footprint and that is of KL Rahul. So, tell me about that, bro. Has this transitioned
Rahul: (Laughs) Don’t ask me, Puj. I don’t like going to the NCA for rehab. It’s been a tough time going to NCA. I mean, I enjoy going there for training and for practice, and not for rehab. Unfortunately, I’ve had a lot of injuries on the way and I think I hold you equally responsible for my injuries because you don’t share the short-leg duties with me now. You are abusing the youngster.
Pujara (cuts Rahul off): No, No, No. I’m going to interrupt him here. He has improved as a short-leg fielder and is one of the best in the Indian team.
Rahul: I’m still learning and getting better at my short-leg skills but Pujara is the legend of short-leg. Every time he is at that position, he makes wicket happen. The ball just seems to find him, so I’ve been putting pressure on him to be there all day and take the responsibility and take one for the team.
Pujara: One person who will agree with him is Murali Vijay. Both of them have ganged up on me. They say that I’m the best but I feel Rahul has improved a lot.
Rahul: This is clear indication that the senior-junior thing is still happening in the dressing room. The seniors are abusing youngsters like me.
Here is a clip of that interview:
Must watch fun and banter with #TeamIndia batsmen @cheteshwar1 & @klrahul11 – by @28anand https://t.co/bk062auh9E
— BCCI (@BCCI) August 16, 2017