KL Rahul Inspires Young Cricketers Ahead of ODI Against New Zealand

Ahead of the second ODI against New Zealand, KL Rahul shared motivational advice for young cricketers during a training session in Vadodara. He emphasized the importance of continuous self-improvement and seizing opportunities when they arise. India leads the series 1-0 after a four-wicket victory in the first match, with significant contributions from key players. This article delves into Rahul's insights and the team's performance, providing an inspiring glimpse into the world of cricket.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jan 13, 2026, 20:49 IST

KL Rahul's Motivational Insights

As India prepares for the second ODI against New Zealand on Wednesday, wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul took the opportunity to motivate aspiring cricketers during a training session in Vadodara.

"Opportunities will come your way; it’s not a matter of if but when. You might find yourself on the sidelines for a couple of years, but if you don’t get a chance at the state level, other tournaments will arise where you can showcase your abilities," Rahul stated in a video shared on the Indian cricket team's Instagram account.

"Continuous self-improvement is key. When your moment arrives, you must seize it and perform in a way that makes it impossible for selectors to overlook you again. Enjoying the journey is essential; that’s the only control you have as a player," he emphasized.

Navigating Tough Times

In response to a question about how top athletes manage challenging periods, Rahul remarked, "Every player faces tough times; no one remains at the peak forever. Frustration and anger are natural, but it’s crucial to overcome those feelings. Focus on what you can control, and when the opportunity arises, make the most of it."

India Takes the Lead in the Series

In the first ODI, India secured a victory by four wickets against New Zealand, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Key contributions came from captain Shubman Gill (56), Virat Kohli (93), Shreyas Iyer (49), along with valuable lower-order runs from KL Rahul (29) and all-rounder Harshit Rana (29), helping India chase down a challenging target of 301 runs.

On the bowling front, Harshit Rana, Washington Sundar, and Mohammed Siraj each took two wickets, limiting New Zealand to 300/8 despite a solid 117-run partnership between Henry Nicholls and Devon Conway.

Team Lineups

India Squad: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill(c), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Ravindra Jadeja, KL Rahul(w), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Arshdeep Singh, Ayush Badoni, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel.

New Zealand Squad: Devon Conway, Henry Nicholls, Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Hay(w), Michael Bracewell(c), Zakary Foulkes, Kristian Clarke, Kyle Jamieson, Adithya Ashok, Jayden Lennox, Nick Kelly, Josh Clarkson, Michael Rae.