KL Rahul reflects on his IPL journey, says ‘Most enjoyed playing at….’ | Cricket News

KL Rahul, who began his Indian Premier League (IPL) journey with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in 2013, has spoken about his enjoyment playing for the franchise. He rejoined RCB in 2016 after a stint with Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Rahul shared his thoughts on his time with RCB during an appearance on Star Sports’ show “Unplugged.”
“In 2016 when I went back to RCB, it could have been a fairytale story, most enjoyed playing at RCB. Bangalore is home and the people there know me as a local Kannada boy.”
Rahul acknowledged that athletic endeavors don’t always yield desired outcomes despite one’s best efforts. He emphasized his commitment to continuous improvement and adaptability.

“Unfortunately in sports, your best is not good enough always. I have always been someone who has tried very hard and I’ll find a way to bounce back. I’ll find a way to better my cricket. I am okay with any role or any responsibility.”
Rahul addressed his departure from the Lucknow Super Giants, explaining that he sought a fresh start and an environment where he could play with greater freedom.
His exit sparked discussions about the reasons behind it. Some speculated about a potential decision by the team management, while others wondered if it was Rahul’s own choice.
Rahul clarified his stance, stating that he desired to explore possibilities with a different franchise.
“I wanted to start fresh, I wanted to explore my options and I wanted to go and play where I could find some freedom. Team atmosphere would be lighter, sometimes you just need to move away and find something good for yourself and I have been out of the T20 team for a while,”
Rahul expressed his awareness of his capabilities as a player and the steps needed to regain his form. He expressed his anticipation for the upcoming IPL season, viewing it as a platform for rejuvenation and a chance to reclaim his spot in the T20 team.
“I know where I stand as a player and I know what I need to do to get back. I look forward to this IPL season to give me that platform to go back and enjoy my cricket. My aim is to obviously to get back into the T20 team,”
In 2013, Rahul’s involvement with RCB was limited. He participated in five matches, batting in only two innings. He accumulated 20 runs, with a highest score of 12, at an average of 10.00.
His strike rate was 125.00, achieved from 16 balls faced. He didn’t score any half-centuries or centuries during that season.
In the field, Rahul took two catches and did not execute any stumpings.
The 2016 season saw Rahul making a more significant impact. He played in 14 matches, batting in 12 innings, and remained not out on three occasions.
This resulted in an average of 44.11. Rahul scored 397 runs, with his highest score being 68 not out, achieved at a strike rate of 146.49.
He struck four half-centuries, 37 fours, and 16 sixes. Rahul’s contributions behind the stumps included five catches and four stumpings, showcasing his dual abilities as a batsman and wicketkeeper.