India’s wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul has opened up about how batting at No.6 has completely changed his approach to the game and helped him understand his batting better. He explained that the role is very different from opening the innings, as it requires quick thinking, fast scoring, and strong decision-making from the very first ball.
In the first ODI against New Zealand in Vadodara, Rahul batted at No.6 and remained unbeaten on 29 off 21 balls, finishing the chase of 301 runs with one over and four wickets to spare.
Speaking to the broadcasters after the match, Rahul explained how the role has shaped him as a batter. “Honestly, I think batting at five or six has helped me understand my batting a lot more. It’s a completely different challenge. I walk in at a stage like that where you need to hit a boundary properly from ball one and, and there’s so much pressure and there. You have 5 fielders outside. When you’re opening the batting, you don’tsee fielders at all,” Rahul said.
Batting at No.5, Rahul has scored 1,365 runs in 32 matches at an average of over 59. At No.6, his average stands at 47.42, but the responsibility and challenge are significantly higher at that position.
He also compared the role with opening the innings and said the planning is very different. “I honestly walk in and look at the scoreboard and see what I need to do for the next few overs. If I’m opening the batting, obviously, I get, a lot of overs and most of the overs I can plan that, and that’ssomething that I’ve done throughout my life, so I never had to plan or think about how can I be consistent in that phase,” Rahul explained.
Rahul admitted that the pressure at No.6 is much higher. “There is a lot more pressure at No.6 and one mistake and you can be on the losing side and all the blame comes on you.”
The Indian batter said he enjoys the challenge of batting at different positions. “I’ve said this before, I just want to be in the XI, put me anywhere. I’m happy to do the job.”
The second ODI between India and New Zealand will be played on January 14 in Rajkot.
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