Couldn't play like first game today as pitch was different: Rahul

Indian batsman K L Rahul on Sunday said he had to change his approach in second T20 International due to slightly slow nature of pitch at Eden Park here. Rahul, who had smashed 56 off 27 balls to set up India's six-wicket win in first T20I, produced an unbeaten 50-ball 57 to anchor visitors' seven-wicket victory over New Zealand in second game.

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KL Rahul on pitch

27-year-old said he had to make some changes to his game as pitch was different than one India played during opening match.

"Obviously different circumstances, target was different, pitch was a little different from what we played on a couple of days ago. So I knew I couldn't play same way I played a couple days ago," said Rahul, who was adjudged Man of Match."I had a different responsibility today. We lost our senior players Rohit and Virat early so I had to stay in re and make sure I finish game."

Rahul, who has been in sizzling form in white-ball format, said he has improved in his shot selection and reading of game."I think understanding of my game and how I'm reading situation and reading game has gotten better for me. That's helped me be more consistent and I've always put team ahead and thought about what team requires at that moment," he said. "More often than t I've come up with right shots and right answers so that's been mantra for my success in last several T20s." 

3rd T20I

India will next play New Zealand in third T20I at Hamilton on January 29. 

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(Im Courtesy: ICC Twitter)