KL Rahul shares insights on his dream debut with RCB in IPL 2013, says, ‘Virat Kohli said not an option, just…’

While speaking to R Ashwin in the Season 2 of Kutti Stories with Ash, KL Rahul spoke on his conversation with the then skipper Virat Kohli meeting room along with Ray Jennings and other staff people. Rahul said that he was signed by the RCB for the 2013 season after a remarkable 2013 Syed Mushtaq Ali tournament. He added that it was a dream for him to join the RCB. 

“Virat was there, coach Ray Jennings and other support staff were also there and Virat only said, ‘Would you want to sign this contract and play for RCB?’ I was like, ‘Are you kidding? This is what I dreamt of.’ And then he said ‘I’m just kidding. It’s not an option, just sign this contract.’ I signed and Virat said ‘It’s going be a crazy ride. You’re going to enjoy a lot in the next two months,'” Rahul said.

Describing the first two weeks in the team he said, “The first two weeks is like you are in a dreamland.”

He added, “It took me two or three games to calm my nerves and feel like okay, now I’m part of the team. The players also have their own process, it’s not like you get welcomed into the team with a red carpet and there are everyone patting your back and saying calm down and relax. None of that happens. Everyone is like doing their jobs. “

Speaking on his learing from the RCB, he said, “The things that I learned (at RCB) in those two months, I mean the amount of time it would have taken me to be the player by playing just Ranji Trophy would have probably taken it 7-8 seasons. Those two months in the IPL, I gained so much knowledge and experience and everything was fast-forwarded. That is the beauty of IPL and what it did to players like me and a lot of them who came after.”

KL Rahul played for the RCB in 2013 and 2016. In 2014-2015 he played for Sunrisers Hyderabad, from 2018-2021, Rahul was part of Punjab XI Kings and from 2022 he has been part of SRH again. In the year 2020, he was also the orange cap winner for scoring maximum runs.

Meanwhile, Lucknow Super Giants will lock horns at home with the Chennai Super Kings’ today at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow. Having won 3 out of 6 matches, LSG are at number the 5th slot while CSK have won 4 of their 6 matches, and are 3rd in the points table.

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Published: 19 Apr 2024, 02:32 PM IST