Missing major tournaments due to injury is very frustrating for any player and that was the case with Indian cricketer Lokesh Rahul, who was dropped from the team due to a shoulder injury. But after a long hiatus, fit-again opener is all set for his new innings with the Sri Lanka tour of India. Rahul said injuries are the part and parcel of the game but missing major tournaments due to injuries is a little bit frustrating.
"Missing tournaments due to injury is a part and parcel of the game for a player. Of course, I miss playing cricket, being part of the IPL, it is the biggest tournament in India. And the Champions Trophy would have been the first world (ICC) tournament that I would have played. It could have been a big moment in my career, I was looking forward to play in the Champions Trophy. It is a little bit frustrating," Rahul told IANS.
The Karnataka batsman, who has been named in India's Test squad for Sri Lanka tour, is coming back from a four-month break. The shoulder injury forced the 25-year-old player to miss some major tournaments like the Indian Premier League (IPL), Champions Trophy and the West Indies tour. His shoulder aggravated during the Australia series in India in February.
Rahul said he has worked hard to attain the fitness after his surgery and is now set to go all guns blazing in the Sri Lanka.
"It's been around three months that I had the surgery for my shoulder injury. I have worked hard to recover and attain the required fitness to get back to international cricket and give my best at the Sri Lanka series. It has been challenging not just physically but also mentally and emotionally."
"To be at home and not do anything is frustrating. Now I have taken care of my recovery to come back stronger," Rahul said.
The right-handed batsman admitted that getting injuries at this age is not good for him and especially when he is in good form.
Rahul played a crucial role in Indian Test series victory over Australia, where he slammed six consecutive fifties in his last six innings.
"It's not nice to get injured so often at the age of 24-25 and especially since I have been in great form. I am playing all the three formats for my country. Now is the time I want to start playing more games. I am doing everything right. I am taking care of my fitness and nutrition," he said.
Asked if he is doing anything special to counter the conditions in Sri Lanka because Indian team has not played outside the country for a long time, Rahul said right now he is only focusing on the fitness.
"I have been focusing on getting fitter by the minute. I am training in the nets and hitting the ball well," said Rahul, who is sponsored by energy drink manufacturer Red Bull.
The wicket-keeper batsman also spoke about the Red Bull match up and what fans can expect from this.
In the matchup.redbull.com on July 16, the fans will get an opportunity to test how well they know Rahul by answering questions about him.
For two hours on Sunday (3-5 p.m.), people can visit matchup.redbull.com and get pitted against other fans of the athlete.
They have to answer questions about Rahul's life, his cricket and his teams, favourite stadium, memorable victory, favourite artist, favourite cuisine and a lot more to try to attain the highest score at the end of the two hours.
The winner at the end of Red Bull Match Up will get an opportunity to train with the player in Bangalore after his return from the Sri Lanka series.
"Get a chance to train with me by playing Red Bull Match Up matchup.redbull.com and all you have to do is answer questions about me and my life. I feel this a great opportunity for my fans to know me better and I am excited to train with my biggest fan post the Sri Lanka Series," Rahul said.
