KL Rahul Reflects on Challenges of Proving Himself in Cricket
KL Rahul's Journey in Cricket
After experiencing heartbreak in the ODI World Cup final in Ahmedabad 15 months ago, KL Rahul played a pivotal role in India's recent Champions Trophy victory in Dubai, ending a 12-year wait for a 50-over title.
Following his significant contribution in the semi-final against Australia, Rahul shared his frustrations about the constant need to validate his place in the team. He has had to adapt to various roles, including opening, batting in the middle order, and wicket-keeping across different formats. "Whenever I perform well and then take a break from ODIs, I return to questions about my spot in the XI or my role in the team. It makes me wonder, 'What more can I do?' Regardless of where I play, I strive to give my best and believe I fulfill my responsibilities effectively," he stated during the post-match press conference.
In a candid interview with Sky Sports, Rahul discussed the ongoing challenge of having to prove himself repeatedly. He expressed concern that decision-makers often overlook his contributions.
"I don’t mind proving myself consistently; that’s part of sports—performing in every tournament. However, the real challenge lies with those making decisions who seem to forget recent performances. This has been my struggle," he remarked.
Looking ahead, the 33-year-old anticipates similar scrutiny when he rejoins the ODI team for a series in Bangladesh in August. He noted, "The next ODI tournament might not occur for another five months due to the lengthy English Test summer, and I expect to see comments about needing to find players for future World Cups. This challenge is not unique to me; every cricketer faces it. I became emotional during the press conference after the Champions Trophy semifinal, expressing these feelings."
In the ongoing IPL 2025 season with Delhi Capitals, Rahul has continued to navigate his roles, alternating between middle-order keeper-batsman and a temporary opener. He achieved his fifth IPL century while opening the batting in his second match and finished the season with 539 runs at an impressive strike rate of nearly 150.