With two fifties in the two practice games, Lokesh Rahul has virtually staked claim for a Test spot when the series against the West Indies gets underway in Antigua on July 21 but the youngster says that thought has not yet struck him.
On day two of the second tour match against West Indies Board President's XI, he retired not out on 64, following up on his score of 51 in the first warm-up match at the same ground earlier in the week.
"Selection is something not in my control. As players we look to prepare and if opportunity comes by, we want to do well, both for ourselves and for team. There's still a week to go before the Tests start, so in next couple of days we will know who is playing and who is not. It's not something I am worried about. What has to happen, it will happen," he said after the second day's play against WICB President's XI.
"The idea was to come here early, get used to conditions. I'm really happy with the way I have batted in the last two innings. It has helped in getting used to the conditions here, and the weather is hot and humid. It is not easy to get runs out there, and I have tried to use these two innings and use the time before the Test series. I think I am prepared quite well," he added.
It has been a good summer for Rahul personally, who enjoyed a productive IPL that earned him an ODI call-up. Then, in Zimbabwe, he scored his maiden hundred and with back-to-back fifties now, is certainly pushing for a spot in the Test eleven, irrespective of what he claims.
"Working my way through different formats has not changed my batting approach much. It is just that the format changes and you get a lot more time in Tests. As professional cricketers we need to adapt," he said. Rahul said coming early helps to get some match practice
and get into the Test mould.
"You are able to spend some time in the middle and adapt to different roles. As for me, I just wanted to keep improving at the highest level, otherwise you get sorted out quickly.
"Earlier in the shorter format, I was not consistent, so I was not getting noticed. But I always believed that I had the game to do it. It was just about consistency," the young opener said.
