‘I played here at 11, now I am 32’: KL Rahul on emotional return to Chinnaswamy ahead of IND vs NZ 1st Test
NEW DELHI: India are set to lock horns with New Zealand in the first Test of the three-match series, starting Wednesday at the iconic M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
With six consecutive Test victories under their belt, India now aim to extend their winning streak against the Tom Latham-led New Zealand side, who will surely miss the services of star batter Kane Williamson.
For Indian batter KL Rahul, however, this Test match holds personal significance as it marks a homecoming to the city where he first nurtured his cricketing dreams.
In an interview with BCCI TV, Rahul opened up about the emotional connection he has with the Bengaluru ground, recalling the journey that began in his childhood.
“Yeah, it’s always special for me to come back here,” Rahul said. “This is where I grew up, played all my cricket. The first game I played here was when I was eleven and a half years old. I’m 32 now, so a lot has changed. But the feeling for me as an eleven year old boy who came here first time, played a game, that feeling for me hasn’t changed. I still remember that feeling so many years later as well.”
Rahul described the overwhelming flood of memories that come rushing in whenever he steps onto the field at Chinnaswamy. “From the time you leave the dressing room and walk to the middle, so many emotions hit you. It’s like a whole three-hour movie plays in your mind – from my early cricketing days at U13s, U15s, U19s, to Ranji Trophy and IPL matches, and finally, representing India internationally. It gives me goosebumps.”
He also fondly reminisced about his time in the clubhouse canteen, where breakfast routines became a cherished tradition. “From age-group cricket to Ranji Trophy, we’d have breakfast at the canteen, finish training, and return for lunch,” Rahul recalled. “I haven’t been there in the last year or so. I don’t know if that place has changed now. But it used to be really delicious and our morning started really good with dosa and coffee.”
Rahul, who made his Test debut against Australia in 2014, has garnered 2969 runs in 52 Tests, averaging 34.52. In 2024, he has featured in four Tests, scoring 222 runs at an average of 44.40, with two fifties.
Rahul also displayed his form in the Duleep Trophy, scoring 37 and 57 for India A. With one eye on the upcoming Australia tour, Rahul will be eager to prove his mettle and cement his spot in the team’s starting eleven for the Border–Gavaskar Trophy.
