Healthy competition in the team keeps us going: Rahul

While the talented K L Rahul has sort of established himself as the first-choice opener in Tests, he’s still some distance away from doing the same in limited overs format. Heavy competition for the two slots is not making things easier too.

Just four ODI matches old, Rahul acknowledged that intense rivalry is what’s pushing him to go that extra mile. “That’s what keeps us going and keeps us motivated,” said the 24-year-old at the pre-match press conference on Wednesday.

“There are other guys capable enough to do the roles that have been given to us. That's what wakes me up in the morning, to go and train harder and turn up for practice everyday and work harder on my skill and my game. Because I know there are able enough and talented guys who are waiting in the bench to come and take my place.

“It’s a good place for a team to be in. We love the competition. We’ve never complained of competition or the pressure of other guys performing. It kind of gets us going. We take it in a positive way. We just try to remain focused and disciplined in our work ethic and the way we go about our games,” added Rahul, who slammed an exact 100 on his ODI debut against Zimbabwe last June.

Rahul also heaped praise on captain Virat Kohli, whom he considers as a role model. “I think it’s how he sets example for us. He’s led by example, gone out there and done the job for the team many times. We just look upto him and how he builds his innings and the kind of energy, enthusiasm and passion he has on the field. It spreads on all of us. We learn a lot from him and he’s somebody who's not just looking to give just great performances individually but he wants to take the team along.

“He’s always showing us the way, sharing his experience and giving us feedback and telling us what he thinks we could have done better. That’s the sign of a great leader and I enjoy playing under him. It’s only one (ODI) game for now but guys who have been part of the Test team know how aggressive he is as a captain. We love playing under Virat, he’s always supported me and the other boys. It’s good to have a young leader and it’s good to have MS (Dhoni) in the team, who not only will guide Virat as a skipper but also youngsters like me. I've played only four one-dayers myself, so it’s great to have MS along. We can learn from both of them.”