'Humbled' Rahul keen to make opportunities count

Rahul, along with Hardik Pandya, had been suspended mid-way through India's tour of Australia, in January, for comments made on a TV show. While Pandya made a return in the subsequent ODI series in New Zealand, Rahul got his recall ahead of the home series against Australia.

India suffered a clean-sweep in the two-match Twenty20 International series, but Rahul's performance was among the positive takeaways for the home team. In his comeback match, the first T20I in Visakhapatnam, he scored a fluent 36-ball 50 when most batsmen from either side struggled. Overall, only 253 runs were scored in 40 overs, for the loss of 14 wickets.

Then in the second game in Bangalore, he made 47 off 26 balls to lay the platform for an imposing 190/4, which was eventually overhauled by Australia, courtesy of Glenn Maxwell's masterful hundred.

Rahul, who spent the weeks leading up to his international return, playing for India A under the guidance of Rahul Dravid, credited the coach for helping him through his tough times. He rediscovered his touch during the stint with the A team, making scores of 89 and 81 in two first-class matches against England Lions.

"I got some time off from international cricket, so I could come back to India and reflect on what was not going right for me," he said. "Fortunately, I got to play some India A games where the pressure is a bit less and where I could focus on my skill and my technique.

"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."

Rahul said that the incidents surrounding his suspension have humbled him and allowed him to reflect on the privilege of playing international cricket for India. "It has humbled me a little bit and respect the opportunity that I have gotten to play for the country," he said.

"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."