Mumbai – Catch KL Rahul like never before in an exclusive interview on Star Sports’ special show, ‘KL Rahul – Unplugged,’ as the charismatic India cricketer opens up about the memorable moments that shaped his journey—from early struggles to embracing his unique game, inspired by legends like Rahul Dravid and Kane Williamson. He relives his incredible 14-ball fifty in 2018, shares insights from his best IPL season, and reflects on tough matches, like the aftermath against Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2024.
Speaking exclusively to Star Sports, on an exclusive show – ‘KL Rahul – Unplugged’, India cricketer KL Rahul shared his memories from his favourite innings over the years and how improved as a player. He said “I think I grew as an individual and as a player. As a youngster, I tried really hard to be someone I wasn’t, trying to hit big sixes to prove I could. It just wasn’t coming naturally. What changed for me was watching Rahul Dravid in one of the IPL seasons around 2011 or 2012. He stayed true to his technique, and he was one of the best batsmen. Seeing him do well in one-day and T20 cricket without changing his game changed something in me. I also spent time with Kane Williamson at SRH. He didn’t get many chances, but he’d still go back and play amazing white-ball innings for New Zealand. Watching Dravid and Williamson, I realized I didn’t need to try so hard. I had certain gifts I could use in T20 cricket to find success.”
He added “Once I embraced that mindset, things clicked for me. In the 2016 IPL, I had Virat and AB’s guidance—the best T20 players around. Just talking to them at training about my game made a difference. Once the performances started coming, the confidence followed.”
Speaking exclusively to Star Sports, on an exclusive show – ‘KL Rahul – Unplugged’, India cricketer KL Rahul recalled his 14 ball half century in the IPL in 2018. He said “’I had just debuted in T20Is for India and scored that 100 in Miami against the West Indies, so I had some recent T20 runs and confidence behind me. It was a new franchise, and I was excited, especially after the high price tag they paid, which I hadn’t expected. That season came with pressure, being a new team and all, but my mind was clear at that time. I was confident in my game, knew what I had to do, and kept it simple. 2018 was probably the best T20 year for me. Expectations were mostly from Kings XI Punjab due to the high price tag, but beyond that, I was free to play my game, without feeling like I had to take responsibility. That allowed me to play with freedom, and while it was a great year personally, as a team, we struggled.”
Speaking exclusively to Star Sports, on an exclusive show – ‘KL Rahul – Unplugged’, India cricketer KL Rahul spoke on the previous IPL season, particularly the game against Sunrisers Hyderabad. He said “I mean, I don’t really know how much was made outside, but I just remember it was probably one of the worst games I’ve been part of as a player. But also, just from behind the stumps, I was amazed at how Sunrisers battered us. We watched on TV how dominating or how dangerous Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma were. But to see it from up close, anything that we did that day seemed to find the boundary. Any ball our bowlers bowled seemed to hit the middle of the bat and fly into the crowd. To get 160, 170 runs in nine odd overs was ridiculous. And almost like, we had to pinch ourselves to know what really happened.”
He added “As a team, we were all in shock because we were at the stage in that tournament where every game was very important. We had to win, I think, three out of five games or two out of the last four games. When this happened, it was just a big shock for all of us. Whatever happened on the field after the game wasn’t the nicest thing to be part of or something that anyone wants to see on the cricket field. So yeah, I think it did affect the entire group. We still had a chance to make it into the playoffs. We had a chat as a team and tried to regroup, put everything aside, and try to put our best foot forward. We tried our best, but unfortunately, our best wasn’t good enough always. It was a bummer that we couldn’t really make the playoffs or win the season as we had hoped.”
