Didn't expect to lead India so quickly and in such circumstances: KL Rahul

Tipped to be the future captain of India, KL Rahul got a chance to lead the country much sooner than he expected. With Rohit Sharma missing the South Africa tour due to a hamstring injury, Rahul was elevated as vice-captain to Virat Kohli in the Test series.

After winning the first Test at Centurion, Kohli injured his back and was not fit to take the field for the second Test at the Wanderers, paving way for Rahul to lead the side.

“Like everyone else, it came to me as a huge surprise to me,” said Rahul,  recalled while speaking on Red Bull Cricket Room on Clubhouse.

“I was the vice-captain. As a vice-captain you slowly prepare yourself to become the captain in due time. 

"But then I didn’t expect it to come to me so quickly and in such circumstances: the morning of the game, Virat (Kohli) came to me in the bus and said, ‘My back is not feeling great, you might have to captain the team.’

“It didn’t put me off or my mindset didn’t change a lot. All of us, in some way or the other, when we play the game we are our own captain and in our head we are playing situations like we are a captain. 

"When that ‘C’ in the team list comes, it does feel new and it is something you are proud of. It is an honour not many people get and it is something you always dream of and I was very happy, very grateful."

India lost the match by seven wickets, but Rahul admits it was a great learning curve for him. "It was very challenging. We were 1-0 up, playing South Africa in South Africa," the stylish batter said.

"It was a really good game of cricket; there were ups and downs for both the teams. South Africa players really well and held their nerve towards the end to win the game. 

"Wasn’t the most pleasant thing for me to start off with a loss as a captain, but it was great learning and I enjoyed those 4-5 days on the field. We fought till the very end."

Rahul also led the side during the ODI leg of the tour, which saw India whitewashed 3-0.