HARARE: After striking a century on his ODI debut, young Indian batsman KL Rahul said players like him are not in Zimbabwe to prove a point but to learn the difference between domestic and international cricket.
Rahul anchored India's chase with an unbeaten 100 as the visitors took a 1-0 lead in the series with a commanding nine-wicket win.
Asked about being part of a second-string Indian team, he has made a point with his performance, Rahul said that was not the case.
"None of us is here to prove any point. We are happy to come out and do well in international cricket and understand the difference in domestic and international cricket. We are here to learn. MS Dhoni is here and it gives us chance to speak to him, take his feedback. All of us have done well in IPL and we came into the series with confidence to play aggressive cricket," Rahul said at the post-match press conference.
Talking about his impressive hundred, Rahul said a small target gave him the freedom to plan his knock well.
"The initial plans was to see the new ball off since it was doing a bit. I had a set plan, once I played the first 10 overs, hit a few balls from the middle of the bat I knew (I can bat long)."
Rahul agreed that having a good IPL helped his confidence.
"I came here after a good IPL and just carried the same momentum. I was watching the ball well. Target was not big, so kept it simple, just worked the ball around."
"It's great relief for me to get an ODI hundred and in the first match, it's very special."
The young Karnataka batsman said failure on Test debut in Australia contributed in his progress as a cricketer.
"It was a great learning. If I had not got that failure in Australia from test debut I would not have been doing well. I learnt my lessons, I gave my self time."
Asked if he found changes in his personality after being successful in the last few months, Rahul again replied in negative.
"I have not changed one bit. If you ask my family, I was always like this. I just stick to my cricket, perform well for my team. The only thing is confidence is there after good performances. I have skill sets to do well in all three formats. I am just carrying confidence in this series," he said.
"I kept things simple. I had all the shots in the book, when need be those shots have to come. Just let my instincts take over.
Rahul finished the match and completed his century with a six.
"Not much went through. I did not want much thoughts. I picked my spot. The bowler bowled there and I connected well."