Bangalore: The harrowing time that he faced in the wake of a chat show controversy has ‘humbled him a little bit’, feels opener KL Rahul, who now values his India cap more than ever before.
Both Rahul and Hardik Pandya were provisionally suspended for their loose comments on women during a popular chat show. Their bans were later revoked pending inquiry.
The off-field controversy erupted after Rahul endured a dismal run in the four-Test series in Australia but he is back in the national team after finding his feet with the India A side.
“It was a hard time no doubt. I mean, as a player, as a person, everyone has to go through difficult times and it was my time to go through that and I like I said it gave me time to reflect on my game, on myself. I have always been someone who takes things as it comes,” said Rahul.
Asked if the entire controversy has changed him as a person, the 26-year-old said:”It has humbled me a little bit and you know. I respect the opportunity that I have gotten to play for the country. The dream of every kid is to play for the country and I am no different.
“Just to value where I am, just to keep making opportunities count and put my head down and keep working on my cricket,” said the man from Karnataka.
Rahul said the India A stint under coach Rahul Dravid helped him immensely.
“I got to spend a lot of time with Rahul Dravid, working on my game and chatting about cricket. He helped a lot in the five games I played for India A. The time I have spent in the middle has helped. It is nice to be back with the boys and back in blue,” he said.
PTI
