KL Rahul: Uncomfortably comfortable
The fans at the Gabba did not demand a win throughout the five days of play. They were there for a fight and Rahul did fight like a south superstar.
IPL 2024…
Sunrisers Hyderabad took less than 10 overs to win without losing any wicket, while sending shivers down the bowlers of Lucknow Super Giants, led by KL Rahul.
After the game, LSG owner, Sanjeev Goenka embroiled in an animated talk with Rahul near the boundary line as the latter was just nodding and providing Goenka what he ought to get in return…the nod.
Rahul, who was criticised by the fans on social media for his 66 off 107 in final of ODI World Cup 2023, surprisingly had their backing when the scenes from Uppal Stadium in Hyderabad surfaced.
People termed him the "nice guy". A guy who maintained decorum when discussion supposed to be held behind the doors were carried out in front of a jampacked Hyderabad crowd.
“Does being a nice guy works in cricket?” asked Zerodha founder, Nikhil Kamath in a podcast.
Rahul replied, “You can choose it outside of your work. In your work you don’t get to chose who you are surrounded with. No no, nothing, zero zero (on asked whether the odds of you getting picked are higher if you are a nicer guy?).
Come October 2024, he scored 0 and 12 runs in the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru, and was dropped for the next two games as India lost the series 3-0.
Rahul was back in the squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. In a do-or-die series for India, he began with 26 and 77 in the first Test in Perth. In the subsequent Test in Adelaide, 37 and seven. The series was poised at 1-1 going into the third game in Brisbane. India were in dire need of a comeback to save themselves from getting ousted from the WTC final.
A green deck and overcast weather tempted India captain Rohit Sharma to opt to bowl. But the result? Australia batters posted a mammoth 445 in two days with spells of showers frustrating the spectators as well as the players.
India, when they were out in the middle, had a batting collapse again. They were 22/3 when Virat Kohli departed. Rahul, there, left the outside-off deliveries, even though the cherry were as tempting as the gadbad ice cream from his hometown, Mangaluru.
“I feel like kids often take the personalities of the name they are given,” said Kamath. While adding to his perception, he said that “Rahul is a very romantic name”.
Singer Baadshah added, “KL Rahul sounds like a south hero – KL Rahul, the angry superstar”.
44/4. Rishabh Pant departed.
But Rahul kept ignoring those balls outside off, enveloped in a glossy cover and written “with love” by Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc.
But the Brisbane weather and the breeze were Manchineel, which looked harmless and dangerous at the same time. A bouncer pushed Rahul’s Carpal bones on the left wrist a few centimetres back as a scream was let out.
“It’s necessary to remind yourself sometimes of what you are here for and what’s your goal when you set out,” Rahul continued at the round table.
The guy did exactly that.
He had smashed five boundaries already and was on 49 off 84.
“Well done KL Rahul, he has been the standout batter for India. Shown good judgement outside the off stump. He has held this innings together and he has been very confident,” said Bhogle.
On Day 4, he scored 84 off 139 with eight fours before falling to Nathan Lyon as he was caught by Steven Smith in slips.
Indians like celebrating milestones but Rahul could not reach the three-figure mark. Nevertheless, the Indian fans present at the Gabba with acrylic paints could not find more reasons to shout, scream and roar. Rahul surely made those faces wrinkle and the dried acrylic paint on their faces crack open.
The rain played its role by imposing delays. The weather seemed nice for Indian spectators back home. The Day 5 beckoning was welcomed with utmost allegiance. In one of the most unusual incidents, the fans did not demand a win throughout the five days of play. They were there for a fight and Rahul did fight like a south superstar.
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